Happiness
The holiday season starting with Thanksgiving and running through Christmas and New Year’s Day tend to be described as happy times. What does it mean to be happy and what makes us happy? According to the dictionary, “Happy is a feeling of joy, pleasure or good fortune.” It tends to occur based on something that “happened” to us – it seems to be situational. When we think of times of true happiness, when we felt this great pleasure and satisfaction, it usually occurs when we are surrounded by family and friends or fulfilling some great purpose in our lives. During the holidays we are surrounded by family and friends, those we enjoy good relationships with, which hopefully gives us these feelings of happiness.
It may surprise you to find out the term translated “Blessed” in Matthew 5:1-12 means “Happy.” According to the Spirit-filled Bible’s (General editor, Jack Hayford) Word Wealth: “It is a grace word that expresses the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences salvation.” As we read the Beatitudes in Matthew, we begin to see that the happy person is not happy due to their circumstances. In fact, we are reminded that James tells us “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (James 1:2-3).”
So during the Christmas Holidays when we sing “Joy to the World” and we connect with family and friends, remember where true happiness or joy comes from God. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die on the Cross for our sins that we may be forgiven and brought back into a good relationship with God. Even if circumstances are not as desired and we mourn loved ones we have lost at this time, we still have a chance to have a great relationship with God, our Father who loves us very much. We celebrate the birth of Christ who gave us the opportunity to connect with God…what greater joy is there? Remember that the Kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). May the Holy Spirit spark that joy in your for the holidays and may you share it with all who are around you!