Note: This post is based on my 2016 Christmas letter.
The word JOY shows up frequently during the Christmas season. Read the sentiments on the cards you receive this month. My guess is that approximately one third of the cards will contain the word JOY (or some form of JOY such as Joyous-meaning full of JOY or Rejoice-meaning to feel or show great JOY).
We sing hymns such as JOY to the World and the refrain of O Come, O Come Emmanuel that tells us to Rejoice! Rejoice!
We just don’t sing or write the word JOY so much at other times of the year. Isn’t that curious? Because we certainly feel joyous throughout the year.
At the birth of Jesus, the angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds and proclaimed, “I bring you good tidings of great JOY to all people. There is born to you this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
Not just “some” JOY, but GREAT JOY! And not to just “a chosen few” but to ALL PEOPLE. This was not a “don’t worry, be happy” languid statement, but rather a “Hey fellas, I have the BEST NEWS EVER!” proclamation.
First Peter tells us to “be glad with exceeding JOY.” The book of James says to “count it all JOY.” And one of Paul’s epistles reminds us to “rejoice always.”
So I think we should keep JOY active in our lives all year long.
Have you ever noticed that when you greet someone with the question, “How are you?” they typically respond with one of these answers: Fine. Great. OK, I guess. Pretty good.
I wonder what would happen if we responded, “I’m JOYOUS! Thanks for asking.”
Because isn’t living a life filled with JOY what we seek?
To my readers: OK, I’m waiting for your response: How are YOU?!
