Year-Round Joy

During Christmas, my son's favorite song quickly became Joy To The World. So much so that we would rotate between four versions of the song almost every car ride. Now that Christmas is over, most people have returned to their "normal" music, not my boy. Nearly every night before bed, we sing his favorite Christmas classic. What is his song choice to sing for people who want to see how cute he is? Yep… Joy To The World!

At some point last December, we went to a Christmas worship night and heard them sing Joy To The World. Since then, he has often referenced hearing the song in a church but not much else. Finally, on a cold February morning, two months after Christmas, he decided to ask. "Why did they sing that song in church?" I explained to him that the song was about Jesus and how he brought joy to people as their Savior; so, Jesus was the joy the song referenced. He contemplated this answer momentarily and asked the question that would make me think as only a three-year-old can do. "If it's about Jesus, why don't we sing it all year?"

If Joy To The World is about Jesus, why don't we sing it all year?

Now I know his motive was to sing this song more often. But what a thought! With all of the fanfare, decorations, fellowship, and food, Christians say Jesus and the joy He brings is the reason for the season. It seems, however, that once December ends, we put that joy away with the decorations.

Once December ends, we put that joy away with the decorations.

True joy in the Lord doesn't end on Christmas. It doesn't end when we are done celebrating the birth of Christ. Truly, if we have the joy of the Lord, then we will celebrate Christ each day of our lives. Paul proclaims in Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Would that be your prayer today that the Lord fill you with hope and joy? In all situations, seasons of life, and all year long, Jesus is joy to the world.