Joy is a powerful force in human life. It is unrelated to happiness, though we tend to forget this at times. I have nothing against happiness; in fact I am a big fan. The problem is that, as Frederick Beuchner notes, happiness is so fickle. Happiness is often dependent on external circumstances. When these circumstances change our happiness often changes too.
On the other hand, joy is of stronger stuff. It is not dependent on the external circumstances of life. It is rooted deep within, where we find the Divine who lives in us all. Deep within we also find our most authentic selves. We discover our true identity as beloved children of God and our true place in the world as the unique and unrepeatable human beings we are.
This self-awareness and deep connection to self and to the Divine is the root of joy. This is the foundation, and all true joy is built on this.
We know that the things we can put our hands on will not bring us joy, though they may bring us temporary moments of happiness. For example, I would be happy if someone decided to give me a new BMW this Christmas. I know, however, that it would not bring me joy.
Joy comes when the authentic in me reaches the authentic in you and we form a relationship that is beyond superficial. It is the meaning of the word “Namaste.” It means that the holy in me greets the holy in you.
Joy comes when we know in our bones that whatever situation we find ourselves in will not finally define us, because our true identity is given to us by the Holy One. We may lose our money, lose our jobs, lose our health, lose our stature in the community, but we will never lose our stature as God’s beloved. As James Wellman wrote, “Joy is best sown on broken ground.”
Joy is deepened when what we desire for ourselves becomes our deepest desire for the people of the world. Joy can never exist in the vacuum of our own little world. When we dream God’s dream for the world, it is filled with joy that is beyond happiness.
The joy of this season is in receiving a fuller glimpse of God through the One who comes to make God known. We are invited to go deeper in our lives to discover the holy within so we might recognize the holy around us.
May the true joy of this season be yours…and may it continue to hold you into the days that are to come.
The Irreverent Reverend 