Joy to the World, the Lord has Come

December 2, 2024

Many parents know how difficult getting their children to practice their instruments can be. One mother was the piano player at her church. She always hoped her son would learn to play the piano. He wanted to go outside and play ball with the boys. To try to entice him, she said, “You know, the greatest message ever told to the world can be found on a simple scale. Play the C major scale.” He did but complained there was no message. Then she said, “Now, play it backward.” He did but didn’t hear any message. She said, “Now, add the pauses on the first, second, fourth, sixth, seventh and last note.”

Exasperated, he responds, “Momma, you make no sense. I don’t care about the pauses.” Then, he goes out to play. Years later, his mother gets sick and passes away. He is sitting at the piano and taps out the C major scale. Then plays it backward. Then he remembers the pauses. He even remembers where they are: first, second, fourth, sixth, seventh and last notes. He starts playing and remembers, “Don’t forget the pauses.” The simple instructions the loving mother gave to her son plays the first line of the song “Joy to the World.” That is the greatest message ever told to the world. “Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King.”

We are at the beginning of the Christmas season and, after decades of Christmases, I know people want to experience that Joy. However, countless things get in the way. We already have everything we need. The children have grown up or are spoiled. It is so hard to get out all the decorations and cook the big feast that we wonder if it is worth it. The clerks at the stores are all rude. I could go on and on.

I think a lot of people confuse happiness with joy. Happiness is an emotional response to external stimuli. Happiness can add to our joy, but it cannot make us joyful. Joy is not affected by what is going on around us. Happiness comes and goes. Joy is a steady experience that grows out of trust in God in all things. Joy grows out of our experience of salvation and our faith in God. The more thankful we are, the more joyful we will be. One of the problems we have experiencing joy at Christmas is that we get too focused on ourselves. Look at the list of things I mentioned above that get in the way of our joy at Christmas. They are all things we hope to manipulate to make us happy. They do not necessarily add to our experience of joy, which grows regardless of our circumstances.

In the Gospel of Luke, we have an often-missed story of the shared experience of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Mary has just found out that she will be the mother of the Son of God from the angel Gabriel. She accepts her role as Jesus’ mother and finds out that her relative, Elizabeth, who was barren, is now pregnant in her old age. Luke 1:52 says, “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.” Mary has much to think about being pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit and not being married to Joseph yet.

Instead, she goes to see and help her relative during Elizabeth’s pregnancy and stays with her for three months. I like this side story because it reminds us of how important it is to serve others to get outside ourselves. When we do this, it can make a big difference in our joy in life. Serving others at Christmas can bring a unique joy to our Christmas experience, a joy that can focus us on God and His blessings.

As a minister in a small town, I was active in the community’s helping agency. The director was an amazing woman, deeply committed to the people she served. I asked her what her motivation for serving was and she said, “Several years ago my daughter died in a tragic accident, and I went into a deep depression. I was unable to function. I prayed to God for healing, and clearly heard God whisper to my soul to start volunteering at this agency. When I stopped focusing on myself and my grief, and started serving others, it changed my life.”

Who is giving out Christmas baskets in your community? What can you do to serve others? Do you chase after happiness or joy at Christmas? What is the difference? (To find out more about Al Earley or read previous articles see, www.lagrangepres.org).