joy to the world

“The Light Shines in the Darkness and the Darkness has not overcome it.”

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.”

Some of the best weeks I spent as a teenager were at a place called “Camp Joy”. It’s a place for people that the world usually tosses aside, mocks, or ignores but at this place they are the main attraction! Camp Joy is a special time each summer where men and women who are mentally (and often physically) disabled come for a week to experience a camp that is just for them. Camp Joy taught me the real meaning of the world JOY: Jesus, Others, Yourself. When you live putting these things in the correct order you will experience JOY.

JOY is not based on circumstances, as happiness is. JOY comes from the ONE who came to save us, JOY comes from the LIGHT of the world who stepped into darkness to SHINE in our lives. But it seems that during this time of year when lights are everywhere, that the world gets darker. The war rages between “Christmas” and “holiday” and those who celebrate the birth of the Savior are told they cannot sings songs proclaiming His birth in deference to “tolerance” of those who do not recognize the LIGHT of the world. People have been injured and have even lost their lives for a pair of shoes, a giant television or other must have items. I do not see JOY in this season, though everywhere you see the signs “Peace on earth, Goodwill to men” and in the places where it is allowed “JOY to the world.”

Over two thousand years ago, it was an almost ordinary night, except for one extraordinary thing: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” The reason that we can experience JOY had come to the world in between hectic comings and goings and busyness and corruption (much like our world today). Into the midst of bickering and arguing and self righteousness, a tiny baby was born with a destiny to change the world. He would bring our hearts peace, He would be the reason for our JOY.

JOY is not just a magic word for me, it is a daily reminder of who I need to be and who I need to focus on. Jesus is the light of the world. He has come to bring light in the darkness. He is the ONLY one who will give JOY to a hurting world.

Sometimes JOY is a choice because it is not always easy to keep the order correct. Sometimes I take my eyes off the LIGHT and focus on the darkness. I have to make the decision every day to choose JOY. And this year while the world rages and the angel voices are lost in the madness, I choose JOY.