Today I was privileged to attend the funeral of a fearless lover, of Christ and of her fellow men/ women. Barbara was as upbeat a person as I have known. One small example (there are so many more) When she lost her hair due to chemo treatments she wore outrageous bright wigs, embracing where she was with Joy. This went on for years. As her body gave way her spirit seemed to shine all the more brightly. “I’m being sent home on hospice care because the chemo is killing me. So at least I’ll be home for the days weeks or years left.” It was weeks. Yet I never visited her but that she was asking about our family, genuinely interested.
Barbara’s life is the best example I can think of this year to illustrate joy. Hers was a simple straightforward faith and trust in Jesus. And this led her to follow Him with the talents she possessed. Many graced to know her have a few pounds thanks to her talents. This leads me to try to apply those virtues in my life and encourage others too. Does life’s situations rob you of your joy? If so you need fortification. Lets enjoy, have Joy, rejoice, burst forth in jubilation. You get it!
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. -Psalm 30:4-5
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Our joy is not situationally dependent. Mere happiness can come from a pleasant situation. Joy is rooted so much more deeply. And that is what Jesus came to do: root us in that confidence in his deliverance such that our joy cannot be taken away. Now imagine however briefly the emptiness and fear prior to His coming both in history and in your life. But He did come! Just makes you want to sing. If so try these and turn them up loud.
Gaudete, gaudete!
Musical score: anonymous medieval polyphony
Lyrics: C16th Latin carol
Translation mine
Gaudete, gaudete! Rejoice! Rejoice!
Christus est natus. Christ is born
Ex Maria virgine, Of Virgin Mary
gaudete! Rejoice!
Tempus adest gratiæ. The time of grace has come
Hoc quod optabamus, For which we are hoping
Carmina lætitiæ. Songs of happiness
Devote reddamus. Let us give in devotion
Deus homo factus est. God has become a man
Natura mirante, Nature marvels
Mundus renovatus est. earth is renewed
A Christo regnante. By the reign of Christ
Ezechielis porta. Ezekiel’s gate
Clausa pertransitur, Closed, is walked through
Unde lux est orta. When the light is risen
Salus invenitur. Salvation is found
Ergo nostra contio. Therefore our assembly
Psallat iam in lustro; Now sings in brightness
Benedicat Domino: Praising our Lord
Salus Regi nostro. Our saving king
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring
Musical score: J S Bach. 1723
Lyrics: Martin Janus. 1661 adapted by Robert Bridges 1890’s
Jesu, joy of man's desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne.
Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
Theirs is beauty's fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom's holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.
Joy, to the world
Musical score: Lowell Mason 1848 (adapting G F Handel)
Lyrics: Isaac Watts (blending themes from Psalm 98 (verses 1,2,4) and Genesis 3 (verse 3)The performance by the great Mahalia Jackson
Interestingly this hymn points more to Jesus triumphal second coming than his first as a baby. A fitting Advent theme to which we still look with longing. The performance by the incomparable Mahalia Jackson.
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.
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love
In dolce jubilo
16th century interspersed latin and German text (macaronic)
The version presented is preserves the structure but is Latin/English) Arranged by Robert Lucas de Pearsall ca 1837 Performers Voces8
In dulci jubilo. (In sweet jubilation)
Let us our homage shew:
Our heart’s joy reclineth
In praesepio; (in a stall)
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio, (in mother’s lap)
Alpha es et O! (Alpha and omega)
O Jesu parvule, (o tiny Jesus)
My heart is sore for Thee!
Hear me, I beseech Thee,
O puer optime; (o best boy)
My praying let it reach Thee,
O princeps gloriae.(o prince of glory)
Trahe me post te. (draw me to you)
O patris caritas! (O love of the father)
O Nati lenitas! (O gentleness of the Son)
Deeply were we stained.
Per nostra crimina: (through our sins)
But Thou for us hast gained
Coelorum gaudia, (joy of heaven)
Qualis gloria! (As glory)
Ubi sunt gaudia, (whence is joy)
If that they be not there?
There are Angels singing Nova cantica; (new songs)
And there the bells are ringing
In Regis curia. (In courts of the king)
O that we were there!
What songs carols or hymns would you add. I grant I love the older music. What is newer that declares that joy. Hit me up.
Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
David Boyd, December 14, 2024
P.S. don’t feel tempted to feel the least bit smug or that ‘I’ve got this joy thing figured out’. Sunday Morning sitting in church got a text, granddaughter had a fender bender on way home, (anxiousness followed by relief) and her great grandmother was taken to hospital. This is not written for sympathy, just a reminder that life (the devil) will indeed orchestrate challenges to joy and I learned that it takes the brain about 4 times as long to register pleasure as it does pain. Joy must indeed be proactive.
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