How Great Our Joy

I'm gonna be honest with you guys, these past few weeks have had me in the darkest place I think I've ever been in.
The other day I was praying about this, and I asked God to please give me a reason, any reason at all, to live in joy again.


Soon after I prayed this prayer, I felt like these words were washing over my spirit:


"Joy without reason is the truest form."


I was reminded of a song, that the choir I'm in was singing for our then upcoming Christmas concert, which is titled 'How Great Our Joy'.
When we were first learning it, our director sat us down and talked with us about sort of the meaning behind the song. 


The song is a quiet song. It's peaceful and sounds almost sad. 
Basically, from what I understand, the composer wrote it like that to focus more on the often unexplored side of joy; the side seen through pain.


I thought about that for awhile and realized how true that statement really is:


"Joy without reason is the truest form."


It's not until we experience the darkness that we are drawn to the light; and when we are drawn to the light despite all the blackness consuming us, that is when we experience true joy. 



The kind of joy that lasts when the feelings fade. 


Christmas is just around the corner, and quite honestly though this has been the hardest holiday season of my life without question... 
I've never felt more joy. 


That child we celebrate this season was sent to earth to give us joy.
His death gave us life. 
His resurrection gives us hope. 
That hope gives us joy; and even the darkest of nights can't steal that from us. 


Merry Christmas, everyone.
I pray you may feel the fullness of His joy all throughout.