Pastorgraphs: “Comfort and Joy”
In
the words of the old Christmas carol, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”
this should be the season of Comfort and Joy. Yet it seems
increasingly each year there is less joy, not to mention much less
comfort. That’s why I found Elizabeth Landau’s CNN article, “Why happiness is healthy”, timely.
Before
I dive in, let me distinguish between happiness and joy. In my book
on integrity, I pointed out that joy is more enduring than happiness.
Joy is a durable state of well-being that is less dependent on
circumstances, while happiness comes and goes depending upon changing
situations.
So
maybe “comfort” is more akin to happiness in the words of the old
carol. It’s not either-or, but both comfort (happiness) and joy they
were singing about to herald in Christmas spirit.
Back
to the article. In short, Landau asserts that happiness matters, is
hard to define, is based more on experiences and relationships than
upon money and possessions, and increases with age.
Why
be happy? Happiness matters. The qualities of optimism, a sense of
well-being or meaningfulness in life are important to our physical and
emotional health.
One
study revealed that making more money (beyond a certain point)
actually decreased happiness. And while giving and receiving gifts is a
dominant force this time of year, it is being with loved ones
(relationships) that produces genuine happiness.
But
we are not always in control over our happiness. Landau wrote,
“between unexpected tragedies and daily habitual stress, environmental
factors can bring down mood and dry up our thirst for living.”
Managing the ups and downs of life is difficult anytime, but
especially during the holidays.
That
is where the carol has words of wisdom. Most likely, the writer had a
comma between merry and gentlemen. It is not God rest ye "merry
gentlemen", as though we should seek to be giddy folk this time of
year. Perhaps the carol writer had it correct: “God rest (comfort) you
with merriment (joy), you gentlemen and ladies”. The reason for being
rested (comforted) as merry (happiness and joy) comes from the words
that follow:
God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Tidings
of comfort and joy emerge from the knowledge that the birth of our
Savior saves us from Satan’s power (sin, depression, guilt,
loneliness) and leads us back into the path of joy when we go astray.
Finally, as a senior citizen, I am pleased to find Landau’s conclusion
that happiness increases with age. Maybe that is because the older we
get, the more relationships we have experienced. Plus age brings its
own wisdom, especially recognizing that things are a poor substitute
for family and friends.
My
wish and prayer for each of you today is that you will find and
experience God’s comfort and joy this blessed, holy season.
Tidings of Comfort and Joy, indeed.
In Christ’s Service,
Bill Jenkins
Bill Jenkins
P.S. My Mother turns 93 today! Happy 93rd birthday “Momma Jenks”. I love you.
From The Quote Garden:
“Don't put the key to happiness in someone else's pocket.”
~ Author Unknown ~
~ Author Unknown ~
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