A few years back I found these guys on YouTube called "The Piano Guys" who have a lot of great Christmas songs. There is a collaboration they did with a few other artists on "Angels We Have Heard on High" that is undoubtedly my favorite on their Christmas album. The video is amazing as these artists play not only the keys, but all the strings inside a piano and even use a sheet of paper on the piano's case for percussion. There's even a little vocal work that sounds amazing. It's interesting, quirky, and beautiful.
If you catch this video on YouTube, you'll immediately see the huge smiles on the faces of these artists. Watch their other videos and you'll see it isn't just an act they put on for the camera. They are legitimately filled with pure joy sharing their gifts of music with the world and glorifying God.
Now, let's contrast that with your stereotypical, old fashioned American or European church. We all sit quietly in our pews reading lyrics from a hymn saying things like "Glory, Glory to God in the Highest" and "Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee" with the enthusiasm of a 16 year old getting a root canal.
Christmas time, and really so many other moments in the life of Christ, the apostles, the patriarchs, and the church for centuries to come, are causes for tremendous joy and praise. When we offer up our worship to a great and mighty God, it isn't out of a feeling of obligation or tradition; we worship because he has blessed us mightily in spirit and in person. We get to see another day, another sunrise every morning... praise God! Why does this seem so "extreme" or "zealous" to expect that our devotion to God should be shrouded in joy at all times? Could it be that many churches and religious organizations have forgotten the joyous cause they represent?
But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
This is such a short verse in the grander story of the nativity, but it sums up the attitude we should take as we approach this holiday and really any interaction we have with others. They will know us by our love (John 13:35).
That is not to say that we never exhibit emotions other than happiness. Of course we will have moments of sadness, anger, confusion, and fear. Christ also experienced all of these emotions. However, it was his joy to see God glorified, even a glorification that brought him to the cross. It brought joy to glorify the name of Jesus when the disciples were martyred. Negative emotions are a natural part of life, but while emotions are natural, pure joy is divine.
This year, there is plenty to fear and plenty to bring us to anger. Just as you read that, there were no doubt specific things that came to your mind! Me, too. The important thing is to not let those feelings control our actions. Our emotional responses to the world around us should always be tempered with love and through love, joy in our calling to something greater than what we perceive with human eyes.
I wish joy for all of you this holiday season and hope this will be the beginning of a new joyous season in all of our lives!
DEVOTIONAL PRAYER
A Prayer for Joy
Father, what can we say that would be enough? Your blessings are overflowing, your goodness is true, your faithfulness comforts us, and your love is overwhelming. You give us every reason we ever need to sing praises to your name and to radiate joy to all those around us. Let others be able to see the joy we hold in you in all our interactions. Let them know us by our love and let that bring you joy, honor, and glory. Amen.
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