The Season of Joy.

It’s Christmas time! Lights, cards, decorations, and distinct Christmas music are lighting things up! ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Joy to the World! Happy Holidays! Phrases like these pop up in our decorations and cards.

As we approach this season, many of us experience emotions from nostalgia and celebration to mourning and sadness. With such a range of emotions, there is one word I’d like to write about here. Joy.

What is joy? What brings joy?

Joy is one of the Fruits of the Spirit. The Bible tells us to call it joy when we face trials, but I thought joy had to do with happiness? Trials don’t make me happy.

Well, maybe joy and happiness are different in such a way that we can find joy in every situation but happiness only in some situations!

In my investigation into the difference between happiness and joy, I found that happiness is more of a feeling of contentment and pleasure. Joy is achieved when we are selfless and give of ourselves for the betterment of others. Joy occurs when we are connected to God through our actions. Joy is that feeling we get when we help someone shovel their driveway. Joy is when we realize someone we’re bothered by is having a bad day, and we do something to help them out. We forget about ourselves for a minute. So, we can in fact find joy in a hard situation.

There is a lot of joy here at Iroquois. This COVID stuff has put all of us in a hard situation, yet, children and adults are continually looking beyond their personal interest to help out. Kids are learning, friendships are being nurtured, and joy is here! COVID isn’t making us happy, but it is providing us the platform for amazing joy! 

As you go through this Christmas season, join me in choosing joy! 

Thank you for your gift of partnership with us. Have a blessed and joyful Christmas! 

—John Barkel