Joy to the World

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way….”

From his triangular-shaped brownstone on Wellington Street in Covent Garden , now a coffee house with an inconspicuous plaque denoting its historical significance, Charles Dickens wrote this description of England and France in 1775 in his epic novel, Tale of Two Cities. Such could be the description of our present world, two hundred twenty-eight years later. The intervening time has witnessed the likes of Napoleon, the Civil War, two world wars, the holocaust, the atomic bomb and the rise of terrorism. Despite these harsh lessons, world peace, and its attendant joy, continues to elude today’s political power brokers.

Kings, Prime Ministers and Presidents falter in their quest for peace. Joy is not forthcoming from empires or nation builders. Neither scientists nor philosophers, neither generals nor diplomats, neither doctors nor teachers, neither magnates nor malcontents, neither inventors nor artists, have, taken together, produced more than a flickering candle of hope in the passing centuries, and any flame they have managed to ignite has soon been snuffed out by ensuing generations.

Joy’s eternal fountain springs forth from one source alone. Jesus is the joy of the redeemed. Keep your Jesus-joy from any encroaching darkness of sin; preserve it from the despair of sickness and disease; protect it from the cold winds of death; lift it up above the aggravations of daily life; insulate it against the soured relationships in families and friends; rescue it from the lethal fingers of bitterness and anger.

This Christmas, be joyful, regardless of your circumstances. You can, if you view all things from the perspective of yonder. Anchor your thoughts to your source, Jesus, and joy will flow uninterrupted from him to you. Joy will be its own reward.

Part of my joy comes from knowing and loving all of you. You make my life richer, more purposeful and sacred. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

Joy to the world, and great joy to your world!