'Tis the Season

'Tis the Season

Bob Pittman

11/26/2024

“’Tis the Season” is a quaint, archaic phrase often used to identify this time of year. Many associate the word “Season” with the change from Fall to Winter without any religious significance. Others may consider “Season” to be associated with their belief system. Today, “Season” also refers to “Black Friday”, the day after Thanksgiving and the anticipation of all the merchandise deals we can get.

Some may think of this as “The Season of Advent”. Most Christian denominations use this terminology. “Advent” refers to a time of waiting and preparation for two major events in the life of the Christian church: the birth of Jesus the Messiah and his second coming. The former is set aside as a time of reflection on an event that has already taken place, while the latter is a time of reflection and anticipation of an event that is yet to come.

Regardless of how one might define “Season” for themselves, sadly, too few think of it as a time to set aside differences of opinions over the weighty matters of politics and shifting societal mores to embrace a collective feeling of love, joy, and peace for others. While feelings can be manipulated and “faked”, an intellectual ascent to promoting such feelings is a good place to start.

For those of us who call ourselves “Christian”, consider Paul’s words in Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” A conceited heart seeks to provoke anger and is envious of others. Choose the fruits of the Spirit instead.

May we all choose to spread love, joy, and peace this Season.