Joy!
One of the most poignant statements, capturing the spirit of the first Christmas, is found in Luke 2:10-11:
“…the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”
“Good news of great JOY.” Besides “Ho, ho, ho,” what is more positive than that?! But how does it get translated from just a poignant statement into reality, more than mere words? Where does the joy come in?
Some believe that God is a killjoy. They think putting one’s faith in the Almighty means taking on a life of self-deprivation, a form of asceticism, self-inflicted discomfort and unnecessary, spiritualized hardship. For them, smiling is almost sinful, and they believe frowning to the point of a contorted grimace puts one in God’s good graces. It’s no wonder that many raised in a churchful of such institutionalized negativity opt for the debauched overindulgence of the flesh in a quest for happiness, which they mistake for the missing joy they need.
Jesus intended that we have joy. He was born to bring it to humanity. But people still make the mistake of either believing that God couldn’t possibly offer them joy or believing that they are responsible for their brand of joy, which depends on the circumstances. As a result, they confuse happiness and joy. So, they spend their lives cultivating circumstances they believe will bring them happiness rather than growing the most important relationship, a relationship with the One who will bring them joy.
There’s an irony in the hunt for happiness. So much of the sadness, brokenness, addiction, crime, and general sin come from a human pursuit of happiness in some way, shape or form. The impossibility of filling the void only Christ can fill—the void only filled with true joy—pushes people to perverted consumption levels and the need for still more. This discontent can never be satisfied apart from Christ. But many live out their entire lives believing their key to happiness lies just out of reach, and with a bit more effort, a new day might make their elusive happiness a reality. Then one day, without achieving it, life ends. However, some hit the mother lode and learn their key to happiness unlocks a door to a disappointingly empty room.
The headline in the New York Times read, “Gary Dahl, Inventor of the Pet Rock, Dies at 78.” Maybe you’re too young to remember, but I recall when they came out, back in the mid-’70s. A smooth, rounded, egg-shaped rock, a little smaller than a baseball, nicely boxed and complete with instructions for the care and maintenance of your new “pet.” People found it hilarious. No feeding, walking, or grooming is necessary. There is no cleaning up after a rock. It was a no-commitment pet for the people of the selfish ’70s. So, more than 1.5 million consumers paid about four bucks to adopt one for themselves. Dahl was an overnight success.
But as all fads do, the Pet Rock craze faded. Nonetheless, Gary Dahl became a millionaire in the process. He quickly achieved what many believe brings happiness—financial security, no worries, happy life, right? Well, as is too often the case, Dahl regretted his success. He was never again able to match the triumph of the Pet Rock. He struggled through two divorces, married three times, settled a lawsuit from his original investors. Dahl lamented, “Sometimes I look back and wonder if my life wouldn’t have been simpler if I hadn’t done it.”
It doesn’t matter whether you’re successful on the world’s terms or not. Those things are external. One thing is sure, if you focus on the outside, joy will elude you. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11). His joy is where? It is in you. Only Christ in You makes joy possible. Joy is internal.
The “good news of great joy” announced by the angels on that first Christmas did not just have to do with salvation for sins. There is also “great joy” available when we live in Him and He lives in us. It’s the only way to have and experience authentic, ongoing joy. It’s the only form of joy that lasts.
“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
—Psalm 16:11