Thanks to the Bible study lesson I've been preparing this
week, I've been thinking a lot about the difference between joy
and happiness. We talk about the Christmas season being a season
of JOY, but what does that mean? Does it mean we should be
spending the next several weeks smiling, laughing, and basking in
happiness 24/7?
Well, if you're like me, there are a number of things
about Christmas that make me "happy". Things like getting
together with friends and family; giving gifts; seeing the lights
and decorations; going to special holiday events (I'm going to
the Philly Pops Christmas show this Saturday); hearing and
singing carols; the immense amounts of cookies, candies and other
foods you can only get this time of year - and doing things I
would never do any other time of year - like wearing bright red
nail polish with a Christmas snowflake design. Yes, there are
definitely a lot of things about this season that make me smile
and bring happiness to my heart.
On the other hand, just like most of you, there are
things about this season that have the potential to be
heartbreaking. It's hard to feel "happy" when there are loved
ones who are no longer with us. And, of course, the many and
varied problems and tragedies of life don't tend to take a hiatus
for the Christmas holidays - many of us are still dealing with
illness, pain, worries and fears that come in all different
shapes and sizes.
But then there's "joy." It's something entirely
unlike "happiness." "Joy" isn't dependent on our circumstances,
and it's independent of whatever kind of bad news or grief we
might be dealing with. Instead, I would define "joy" as that
rock-solid steadiness that settles in our soul. It's the peace
that Scripture says "passes all understanding". It's the ability
to rest assured that even when things aren't "alright," they're
STILL "alright." It's the knowledge that we don't have to be in
control, because God IS, and whatever happens tomorrow - even
whether we live or die, it'll still be okay. God has our backs,
and nothing can ever separate us from His love.
So it's NICE when we experience "happiness"
during this holiday season. But it's better yet to know that the
JOY of the Christ child lives in us always.
I wish you continued JOY this Advent season
(with a good bit of happiness thrown in!)
Pastor Janice