“They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” Matthew 2:10

“Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places.”  Sarah Young

It’s not Christmas.  I know.  But I love Christmas for the joy it brings.  This Christmas joy is captured in the response of the Magi to the sighting of the star and coming into the presence of the infant Jesus. “They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy”.  That’s the effect that being in the presence of the divine, whether it be looking at the night sky or falling down in obeisance before The Baby brings. 

When was the last time you had such joy?  When was the last time that you were reminded that because God is with you, all is right with the world—no matter how wrong things might seem? When was the last time that you laughed in the presence of a child?

This week I had the joy of spending six delightful days with my two grandchildren.  What a joy!  One of the many redeeming characteristics of children is that they don’t filter their emotions like adults do.  On numerous occasions they would break out into grins and giggles.  One of those times was when we were watching “Mary Poppins”.  Perhaps you recall the scene in which Uncle Albert sings the song “I Love to Laugh”? We were ALL laughing!  It was pure joy overflowing!  Laughing as children and with children. Laughter is a gift that reflects the joy that The Spirit gives us in life!

One of the occasions of joyous laughter that one finds in the bible is when Sara laughs at the news that she is going to have a child in her old age.  It has been interpreted as a scoffing laugh, or one of disbelief.  But I suspect that there was also a great deal of joy in it!  As incredulous as it may have seemed, there was nothing that could’ve brought Sara more joy!

The Spirit’s gift of joy is more than mere happiness.  Happiness is a temporary emotion that is often-times caused by an external something or other.  Our culture is consumed by the pursuit of happiness, a right given us in the Declaration of Independence.  But I wonder if our happiness is dependent upon things that are fleeting—that we tire of too quickly?  I wonder if we spend a great deal of time addicted to experiencing a temporary happiness “fix”, only to have it wear off and leave us looking for the next high?

Joy is different from happiness, I believe, in that it is an internal condition that is constant.  I believe this is because the Spirit dwells within us.  Therefore even in the midst of sorrow one can have a sense of deep, abiding joy.  The book of Hebrews says that “For the joy set before him (Jesus) endured the cross”.  Jesus had a deep sense of joy, even in the midst of agony and death.  Joy can be present in us even in the midst of sorrow and sadness.    I experienced this recently as I was practicing the Father/Daughter dance for the upcoming wedding of my youngest daughter Molley.  The song we have chosen is a tear-jerker, and to my surprise I found myself crying as I danced with her in her living room.  They were tears of sorrow laced with deep joy at the occasion of this new life she is entering into.

Consider for a moment this gift of the Spirit. 

What joy do you have?

What brings your true happiness?

And when was the last time you laughed?

“Your laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise.  Just as parents delight in the laughter of their children, so God delights in hearing his children laugh.  God rejoices when we trust God enough to enjoy our lives lightheartedly.” Sarah Young