“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.” Psalm 98:4-6 (NRSV)

In a year that may go down as one for the ages, feelings of “joy” may not be at the top of the list for most people. It has been a year of struggle for many. If we recount all that has happened, the obscurity of finding joy becomes more accentuated.  If you watch the news it seems as though very few stories of “joy” make it to the airwaves. We do need to be informed of both bad and good, but could it be a bit more balanced? What does this tell us about ourselves and our society?

Have we become mean-spirited like Ebenezer Scrooge as he spit out bitterness at his nephew’s invitation to the annual Christmas party? Meanwhile poor old Bob Cratchit and his son, Tiny Tim, freeze through another bleak holiday season. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is a great story about the gift of joy that is given by the least expected to those least likely to receive.

Are you a joy revealer or a curmudgeon?  

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’” Nehemiah 8:10 (NRSV)

Could we be more like the man who decided to spread cheer in his own way? The store manager of a local Dairy Queen in Minnesota was excited when a man said he would like to pay for the meal of the car behind him. The manager gave the heart-warming news to the people in the next car and then asked them if they wanted to do the same. The occupants were dumbfounded and replied, “Why would he do that?”

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

Joy is most defined as good cheer and vibrant happiness. We were robbed of much of that during this pandemic year. Countless milestones and special events were cancelled or modified. Things we have taken for granted such as family gatherings were curtailed, and the list goes on and on. Yet somehow we have endured amidst the cancellations and revised plans and perhaps we’ve even redefined the meaning of joy.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 (NRSV)

The attitude of joy is quite possible in any situation. For our younger generation, the COVID-19 pandemic created challenges beyond their control. I especially like what graduating senior April Judd shared in her winning essay that she wrote for a global competition hosted by greatergood.org. The pandemic of crisis caused April to see the beauty in what our world is going through. She wrote, “I don’t want to go back to the way things were… I want to have a heightened appreciation for all the things that make life full.” What has changed about your life this year? While there were difficult times, what were the silver linings that brought some joy for you or others?

^“Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSV)

Joy is not to be confused with its close cousin, happy. Joy is a richer, deeper feeling like Reverend Mike described in his story of helping a carload of nuns.  Both parties receive a reciprocating satisfaction. For the giver of joy, it is a fulfilling sense of accomplishment to help someone while expecting nothing in return. For the receiver it could be an answered prayer for a need that the giver may or may not be aware of.  The outcome is mutual even though we may not recognize it at that time. Whether you view it as a “God happening” or just “happenstance” might depend on your perspective in the moment.

The joy we strive for as Christians is deeper, more fulfilling, and spiritual. Only we can make the choice to respond intentionally to circumstances with satisfaction and contentment knowing that God will use the experience for our growth. At the time of an event, we may not quite realize that we are refining our faith and building endurance towards a more mature existence in Christ.

“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:1-2 (NRSV)

A Bible passage from our readings in the Grand Sweep stands out to me as another example of this deep spiritual joy despite the outcome. Moses, a mighty prophet like no other, saw God face to face and knew he had gone as far as he could go. As he climbed Mount Nebo and faced his mortal death, God graciously let Moses see how far he had led his people. I can only imagine the bittersweet joy that Moses experienced as he saw the land of milk and honey from afar. How did he feel? Have you had a moment in time where you saw a glimpse of the future? How did you feel?

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.’” Deuteronomy 34:4 (NRSV)

I like the way Reverend Mike described angels in this past week’s sermon, as messengers and initiators of joy through acts of kindness. Mike invited us to imagine what kind of world we would have if more folks practiced this attitude of joy. If we experience an urging deep inside to take action, I wonder if this is considered random? Who might be speaking to us and stirring our hearts with a voice that only we can hear?

Are acts of kindness random or intentional? Could we be more intentional in our kindness or are we too busy this holiday season?

“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1-2 (NRSV)

Can you imagine the joy that Simeon, a devout righteous man, felt when the Holy Spirit revealed that he would live long enough to see the Messiah? Simeon’s faith sustained him throughout his long life so that he could experience an incredibly special day. He went to the temple to see the child Jesus, held him, and delivered his blessing to him.

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying, ‘Master now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation…’” Luke 2:29-32 (NRSV)

When Tina Jensen, the Dairy Queen manager, invited the next person in line to pay it forward, she started a chain reaction of good cheer. A single act of kindness inspired people to participate and it continued for 3 days – impacting over 900 cars.

We are all familiar with the “pay it forward” concept. The world is full of angry folks like Scrooge with their dower moods that bring us all down. They cannot seem to “pay it forward” and certainly do not know what it means to “pay it upward” as Paul reminds us in the passage of the cheerful giver sowing generously.

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 (NIV)

What will it take to open your heart to give and receive joy more freely? Will it take the “Ghost of Christmas Past” to you show you the missed opportunities that come from selfish choices? Will it take the “Ghost of Christmas Present” to open your eyes to the needs that are all around you yet often overlooked? Hopefully, it will never take the “Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come” to reveal to you what could have been. While we may not see Christ, we can feel the joyous presence of the Holy Spirit only if we love, believe, and receive by paying it upward.

“Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,  for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NRSV)

Hear the good news! The joy that Christians spread pays it upward. It is rejoicing in God that we are part of a community of folks who share what we have with others while giving all the glory to God. He has blessed each of us beyond what we deserve. If only we will stop long enough to look for those moments of joy that are embedded or obstructed by our busy lives. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that we all can partake in if we only leave behind the desires of the flesh that read like the headlines of the nightly news.

How will you be more intentional this Advent season to spread a little joy? How will you receive the King this season?

“Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!” Psalm 97:11-12 (NRSV)

Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader

“Joy to the World; the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature Sing.”
(Joy to the World-inspired by Psalm 98)