Is it a Jolly Holiday?

            As I sat watching the movie, Saving Mr. Banks with my twenty-four year old son, Kyle, it  brought back fond memories of him when he was four years old, dancing joyfully in our den to all the songs in Mary Poppins. Kyle’s favorite part of the movie was the penguin dance, so artfully choreographed by Dick Van Dyke, who portrayed the chimney sweep, Bert. In an effort to emulate Bert, my son would pull his pants down so he’d waddle like the penguins and dance to It’s a Jolly Holiday. Somewhere we have his dance on tape and will probably retrieve it when Kyle brings his future wife home one day!   

            However, Saving Mr. Banks also had another message.  It reminded me of how the trials of life can steal our joy if we let them. The author of Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers, had endured hardships she never seemed to recover from. The movie portrayed her as a rude, hard-nosed woman, who seemed discontented at every turn. She lost her joy in childhood and never claimed it back. “Was this really the author of Mary Poppins?” I asked.

            We all have the potential to be joyless. Whether it’s a tragedy in our childhood or difficult circumstances now, we can easily become crusty, bitter and hardened by life’s difficulties. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have a supernatural ability to choose joy. How do we transform from bitter to joyful?  Here’s a joy formula for you to consider.

            1. Pray to be joyful.  Joy is a fruit of the spirit. It is there for all Christians to download. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)  While you are at it, you might want to download the rest of the basket of fruit as well.

            2. Trust God with your life. Regardless of what is going on, trust the Lord will use it for good.  My own childhood was filled with dysfunction, but I realize that only God could have brought me out of those difficult days. That alone gives me joy.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Romans 15:13)

            3. Take the focus off yourself. A pity party is no party at all. Where’s the laughter?  Where are the people? Most pity parties take place in a party of one. But throughout the New Testament, the apostles talked about how other believers gave them joy. They focused on the new believers’ progress, not their own difficulties. In 1Thessalonians 2:19, Paul said this about the Thessalonian believers: For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?  Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. It’s important to stay connected with people to remain joyful.

            4. Joy should be found in salvation alone. While I have difficulties with this concept myself, the fact that we have received salvation and eternal life with God should be enough to keep us skipping through life. In the face of death, it was all Paul had to hold onto when he said, And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

            P.L. Travers’ obituary indicated she sought several other religions but never knew the saving power of Jesus Christ, therefore she could not tap into the joy of her salvation. As Christians, the gift of joy is there for us to claim. As we celebrate the New Year, make it a jolly holiday filled with joy!