Happy holidays are just around the corner, the most awaited season of the year—Christmas and New Year. Some of us express gratitude for the numerous blessings we receive, including our 13th month pay, gifts, groceries, de minimis benefits, and other bonuses. These are the material things we are thankful for, but there are greater reasons to celebrate the season.

On Christmas Day, Christians commemorate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who came to the world as a precious gift from God above. The Holy Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” His mission is not only to live in this world but to lead the people closer to God so that they may know Him and let them experience the abundant life under the covering and ways of God. Christ’s ultimate showing of his love for God’s people is his being the sacrificial lamb so that once and for all, people, although sinners, can come to God through the cleansing of the blood of the Lamb. This sacrifice for having access to God is what Christians are truly thankful for.  The nation honors the birth and death of heroes, but even more so for Christ, who not only made sacrifices for a particular nation, but also for the entirety of humanity, not just for his own generation but also for generations to come. How then do we show thankfulness for God’s love for us? Some express their gratitude by giving gifts to others, donating goods to the needy, celebrating, and spending quality time with their loved ones. However, beyond these tangible things, we can show our thankfulness to God by giving thanks and praise to Him, by devoting and giving time to commune with Him through His Holy Scriptures, by asking for forgiveness and forgiving others who have sinned against us, by extending kindness to others, and ultimately, by walking in His ways according to His precepts and His will.

This season, let us contemplate and reflect on the goodness of God in our lives—all the provision, protection, progress, promotion, and life lessons. Count our blessings and be deeply thankful for all that God has done. Let us resolve to be better persons—reflecting the image and likeness of God—so that the new year 2025 will indeed be a fresh start and a new season to be thankful.

​This value focus emphasizes the importance of having control over the use of our words. It speaks of our ability to choose our words carefully, considering the content, manner, and timing.
 
Firstly, we need to pay attention to the content of our words, as they can either build or destroy lives – both our own and those of others. Speaking words of encouragement and hope can uplift others, boosting their morale and enthusiasm, which ultimately leads to increased productivity in the workplace. On the other hand, others are demoralized by our words when the contents do not inspire and spur energy. Additionally, we will also be adversely affected by our words when we speak lies or deceptive words. Such actions can lead to serious consequences including legal penalties for offenses like libel, perjury, contempt, fraud, or falsifications. This underscores why taming the tongue is anchored on the core value of integrity.
 
Secondly, we need to guard how we use our words, as they can be interpreted in many ways. Words spoken loudly may be perceived as angry and offensive to the listener, while soft-spoken words may suggest secrecy and deceit. Manner therefore reflects the conduct and character of the person speaking. Someone who knows how to deliver a message appropriately is regarded as a discreet, cautious, refined, and mature individual while a person who is careless in words, unmindful of its consequences, is regarded as vulgar, rude, and abrasive.
 
Finally, the timeliness in the use of our words must be highly considered if we are to tame our tongue. Timing does not only refer to the date and hour but also the context and the seriousness of the situation. Words that are spoken during the pronouncement of oath or promise are given more weight because of its severity and seriousness as compared to words spoken during casual conversations. Words uttered in an oath or covenant are considered sacred and serious, thereby, failing to uphold them may lead to consequences. A person found to be faithful or committed to agreements and pledges is deemed a person of integrity, whether in private or public affairs.
 
Words spoken in private affairs such as in marriage vows, when violated, are actionable wrong such as in breach of promise to marry or breach of contract which gives the other party the right to claim for damages. In the same manner, affirmations or statements of allegiance in public settings such as the oath of office are also treated seriously. When not sustained due to a lack of accountability, it can lead to various administrative offenses. It is given credence and protected by law to preserve the public faith, thus, the provision in our constitution, that public office is a public trust.
 
We should always remember to stay committed to our vows that were witnessed by people as well as God. Our fidelity to every promise we make reflects our integrity. We must, therefore, be mindful of our words, as they can bring either death or life. The tongue is likened to a rudder that, while it is very small, can steer a large ship. Knowing the power of our words, we must resolve to be wise in our speech – being careful about what we say, how we say it, and when to speak. The Scripture has correctly admonished us: “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God, for God is in heaven and you on earth and therefore let your words be few”. 

More than 2,000 years ago, in the garden of Gethsemane in Israel, a Man  in agony prayed earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. He said, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Jesus made Himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant and humbly obeyed, even to the point of death, for the sake of the people He came to save. He is indeed the embodiment of selflessness that humanity should emulate for a better world.
 
Due to their fallen nature, human beings are inherently egocentric—self-centered and focused solely on their own interests, often to the point of degrading others, taking advantage of them, and disregarding their feelings and worth. The challenge for us today is to rise above this innate selfishness and embrace a new nature of selflessness, which is defined as “the quality of caring more about what other people need and want than about what you yourself need and want.”
 
Billy Graham said, “Only God can give us a selfless love for others, as the Holy Spirit changes us from within. This is one reason we must receive Christ, for apart from His Spirit we can never be freed from the chains of selfishness, jealousy, and indifference.” Selflessness is experiencing God’s love and goodness and selflessly extending it to others or paying it forward. Selflessness is putting others’ well-being or benefits first than ours. In a deeper sense, however, selflessness is putting God first. Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’”.   

​In implication, being selfless means demonstrating patience and kindness, avoiding envy, and refraining from boasting. A selfless person does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is slow to anger, and keeps no record of wrongs. Moreover, selflessness involves allowing God to work in and through us for His name’s sake and glory. While cultivating such virtues and practicing selflessness may seem challenging, with God’s help, we can live them out in our interactions with family, neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Ultimately, as we commit to a life of selflessness, the joy of the Lord becomes our strength, and His favor rests upon us.