Christmas is universally accepted as a season of joy. Even when there is no visible reason to rejoice, people still look for ways to express joy. But few days ago, I wished a friend the joy of Christmas, but the response I got was, “Joy with what? No food, no new clothes, no wares! How is joy possible?” That question kept ringing in my head, “How is joy possible?”
But can one really have joy without food, Christmas clothes and other wares? Basically, joy is an emotion of the heart, and it is caused by the presence or expectation of something perceived as satisfying. For some people, such satisfaction may be linked to what gives temporary pleasure, such as money, food, health, clothes, Christmas wares, honor, power, and success.
The problem is that these material things never give lasting joy as they only give momentary satisfaction. But however we look at it, joy is a spiritual thing. It is the fruit of the Spirit. It is a feeling that dwells in the heart linked to something that really satisfies because it lasts.
Christmas Joy
True joy comes from God, and that is what the Christmas joy is all about. It is the experience of the presence of God. The liturgical reading for today from Isaiah 52:7-10 invites all connected with Jerusalem to break into shouts of joy. Why? It is because God returns to dwell in the midst of His people. His coming means bringing peace, happiness, and salvation. It is such saving Presence that gives joy. It is a joy which the world cannot give. This joy is not taken away by hardship, hunger, misfortune, or poverty.
But to have this real joy, the heart must be ready to receive the divine presence. One recalls the words of the famous Christmas song, written by the English Minister, Isaac Watts: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room; And heaven and nature sing; and heaven and nature sing; and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.”
To have the Christmas joy, the heart must be purified of all attachments to fleeting desires. Joy does not dwell in an evil heart or in a heart filled with malice. To have the joy of Christmas, the heart must be purified of all vices that block the way to God and to fellow human beings. The heart must be prepared for encounter and presence. A closed heart cannot experience real joy. Only an open heart can love and experience love and joy.
A Joy To Be Shared
The Christmas joy is not a joy to be bottled up. It is one to be proclaimed. In the reading from Luke 2:1-14, the angel of the Lord brought the good news of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds with these words, “Do not be afraid, Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people, today in the town of David, a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
The angel’s message urges us who receive the joyful news of Christmas to share it with others. But how do we practically share the joy? We live in a society where many find it difficult to have joy because they think all is lost and hopeless. We are encouraged to bring joy to such broken hearts. But the very act of reaching out to others and sharing with them poses great challenges today.
In the midst of increasing hardship that does not discriminate any longer between the low and the mighty, the danger is to close our hearts and refuse to open up to others that need help. There are many other reasons to close our hearts and refuse to share. There is the contagious disease that makes it dangerous to welcome others. And there is the biting insecurity in most places that makes it risky to open our arms and doors to whoever comes. Yet, despite all these odds, we as Christians are called to share the joy of Christmas with all. The joy is multiplied when, despite the prevailing dangers and risks, we succeed in putting a smile on a suffering face or joy in a bleeding heart.
