Exuberant Joy

Writing the teaser on joy this week is proving to be difficult. Although the story in Luke 1 of the baby within Elizabeth’s womb leaping for joy upon hearing Mary’s arrival reminds me just how incredible it is that God came to earth as a baby to reconcile humanity with its creator, late last night a friend’s 4 day old baby passed away as she was born 16 weeks premature. Is it possible to have joy in the midst of sorrow? What about in the mundane day to day aspect of our lives or in the midst of chronic pain? aging family? financial loss? illness? Is joy a feeling dependant on our life circumstance or is there something more? I do not claim to know all the answers, but as I continue to examine the story of Mary’s response to her encounter with Gabriel, there is much for us to learn about what it means to be a people of exuberant joy.