Listening

When does the greeting, ‘Happy Christmas” loose its impact? 

The story is told of a father who decided that Christmas was going to be different this year. He called a family conference and challenged his family to be more disciplined in the management of their time during the busy Christmas season. They had to curtail excessive spending on gifts. He talked about better relations between visiting relatives and a more congenial atmosphere around their home. He brought his speech to a crescendo with his final rallying cry, “Let’s make this the BEST Christmas EVER!”

I wonder if the anticipated outcome actually met its goal?

One of the Carols that I love is “Cradled in a manger lowly” by George Stringer Rowe - 1830-1913 and contains the words, “Happy those who hear the message of his coming from above; Happier still who hail his coming, and with praise greet his love.”

However, let me ask you, is there a difference between Joy and Happiness? Samuel Dickey Gordon, a prolific author and evangelical lay minister says that “Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross.”

Back to our carol for today. The third verse contains the words

Evil things are there before Thee;

In the heart, where they have fed,

Wilt Thou pitifully enter,

Son of Man, and lay Thy head?

Enter, then, O Christ most holy;

Make a Christmas in my heart;

Make a heaven of my manger:

It is heaven where Thou art.

Perhaps we should look for the Joy we read of in 1 Peter 1:8-9. “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

It may seem naive,

    in a world of grief,

        to choose to live in joy;

It may seem foolish,

    in a world where solemnity is power,

        to sing and dance to a different tune;

It may seem cruel,

    in a world of suffering and injustice,

        to speak of light and celebration;

But you have come, Jesus,

    to bring joy into our grief,

        light into our darkness,

        singing into our mourning;

    and it is an act of healing and proclamation

        to believe and embrace the joy you offer.

Joy to the world!

    The Lord is come!

        Hallelujah!

Amen.