Inspired by . . . Day 28: laughter and JOY
This post is part of a 31 day series on JOY
You may access all the past days by clicking here.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:10-14
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels a spirit of JOY and laughter among us, in a more corporate sense, during the Christmas season. I’ve often wondered about it. I mean, it makes sense. Christmas is about celebrating God’s gift to us: Jesus Christ. So it is not surprising that His spirit would walk among us during the season.
But Jesus is always among us! So why do we only feel this corporate sense of JOY and merriment during the holidays?
I’ve struggled with the answer to this question for years. Today, after reading Oswald Chambers devotion, I think I may have a clue.
Whenever the angels come to this earth they come bursting with a JOY which instantly has to be stayed (cf. Luke 2:13) .
This earth is like a sick chamber, and when God sends His angels here He has to say—
“Now be quiet; they are so sick with sin that they cannot understand your hilarity.”
Whenever the veil is lifted there is laughter and JOY.
These are the characteristics that belong to God and God’s order of things;
sombreness and oppression and depression are the characteristics
of all that does not belong to God.
So here is my theory: I think that during the holidays, whether you are a Christian celebrating the birth of Christ or not, people, in general are more focused on OTHERS. So whether or not they are focused on God, they are at least focused on the things of God. His ways and His teachings, even though they may not realize it or even acknowledge it.
Whenever we do business with God the veil is lifted. “Whenever the veil is lifted there is laughter and JOY.”
And who knows, with all the Christmas music being played, maybe God releases an angel or two now and then.
I’ve heard some Hallelujah choruses that were simply divine.
So what about you? do you sense anything different during the holidays?
Or are these just my own fanciful feelings generated by holiday cheer – and wishful thinking?
Blessings,
Can you find the angels in the cloud pictures I’ve shared with you today?
Quotations taken from Not Knowing Where, © Discovery House Publishers
#write31days
Sharing inspiration here:
Beautiful and thought provoking reflections, June. I too have always felt a great sense of laughter and joy around the holiday's. But with each year as my relationship with God deepens I try to carry that same feeling. May we business with God daily so the veil is lifted. Love you, dear friend. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou're on to something, my sweet friend!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and image.
ReplyDeleteThis gives me a special insight into Christmas-experience-throughout-the-year.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS!
I see angel #2 ... and I love welcoming the Christmas season with you in this beautifully biblical way.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the season crop up in the stores, in the catalogues? I just can't deal with that yet.
Thanks, you joy-sharer, you!
;-}
Beautiful images! Perhaps you are right - just seems too early to be thinking of the holidays :)
ReplyDeleteWhat Chambers said is so intriguing and makes me smile to think about it. Your theory is probably right on target since most of us are shopping for or making things for others. Once I get past Thanksgiving I can start concentrating on the beauty of Christmas. I'm not quite ready yet. But I do love the season of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing that I have discovered your blog posts at this time - when I need them the most. As we approach the holidays, I find that I need reminders to reflect, reminders to get up and away from this computer and spend time with the small favors God has trusted me with, and reminders to embrace this life with a grateful heart. Thanks for helping me to become the best version of myself.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the sky. It is interesting that you speak of the joy during the holiday season as many doctors call the season stress mas. Statistically more heart attacks occur during that season than any other time of year- a sad commentary on the season.
ReplyDelete