"Tis the season," is a phrase many of us have heard considering Christmas is just around the corner. However, many of us do not truly question this phrase. "Tis the season''... Tis the season for what? For gifts, celebration, family, friends, Santa, Jesus ...what? We all have motives that aid to our actions. Without motives, we do not have reasons or purpose for the actions we commit or the decisions we make. We cannot celebrate a holiday without choosing some certain meaning of what we are celebrating.

In modern society, it is so simple to gaze at the materialistic items of this season. To watch with glowing eyes, the commercials of certain stores selling our desired items, or the next "big thing" in technology, or whatever may strike our fancy. By doing this we make the "item" the answer to the earlier asked question: "Tis the season," for what? We try to make "subtle hints" whenever we are around our friends and loved ones about this particular item as a "potential" gift.

Other reasons for "tis the season" that may occur is with friends and family. It is a wonderful thing to gather together during this time of year. However, when we make this as a time to flaunt off our accomplishments of that year we are positioning the moral compass of the season in the wrong direction. We are putting the spotlight on what should be the background. Catching up with friends and family members at Christmas is great, but make sure you're not making it a competition to see who has accomplished more. This is one competition that never has a winner.

Another way we may be competitive during the season is through decorations. By competing, to see who has the most lights, the biggest blow-up snowman in their front yard, who has the biggest/most decorative tree, the fanciest wreath, the best Santa costume...whatever it may be is just pride consuming what could be our joy of this season. What is the point? I see nothing wrong with decorating, but why make it a show? Why make it a place for self-praise or a way to gain esteem?

Another context of materialistic items as mentioned before could not be just in the form of receiving the gift, but actually the opposite...the giver. This can be a reason we attach to "tis the season" as well. This is a major aspect of the holiday season that we contribute a lot of time and financial effort to. It can be addicting to online shop or the infamous "Black Friday" outing when it comes to preparing gifts for friends or loved ones. We become lesser versions of our normal selves in these situations for an item that can break within seconds, an object that can be torn and material that can be replaced. Unfortunately, what remains is the hatred and greedy persona we display to complete strangers. Do we really want to leave that impression on someone? The only memory they may have of you might be "that person" who pushed or shoved them to get the last Christmas tree, the last flat-screen TV, or whatever it may be.

As I have gotten older, I have realized the inescapable impact we have on those around us, whether we know them or not. This impression we give people leaves a mark of our identity in this world. Going deeper with that, how do we want to be identified? What qualities do we desire to have? Do we actually practice those qualities in real life? After careful examination, I have seen many areas I could improve and even after working on those still find more places in my heart that could use improvement. For example, I have learned to have more patience and have learned to let go of bitterness in my heart from past situations. I'm not saying that this is automatic or easy, but it is possible. This is a continual effort, not a "one time" decision. I encourage to pray, examine your own life, and to find areas where you can continually improve.

The reason having more patience and letting go of bitterness in my heart was possible is because of my Father. I have come to appreciate these things and see them as gifts from my Saviour...Jesus. How sweetly that name rings in my ear! No bad thing can fill my heart when that name all-consuming, invades my heart and mind! When it comes down to it, I find He is the "what" in "tis the season". He is the "for" as well. For Jesus, I will celebrate this season in honor of Him and his birth. I will praise Jesus for what He is. I will meditate on His goodness and how when the chaotic world goes round and round, my Father steadies my heart and is forever unchanging. Because of this, my reason is forever unchanging. "Tis the season"? Tis the season to celebrate my Saviour's birth.