Joy as a beautiful rebellion

 

Joy is a quiet rebellion against despair.  Cole Arthur Riley

 

Most days, it is easy today to discount and delay joy.  We distance ourselves from experiencing joy because we believe (or our inner critic tells us) that we don’t deserve joy.  Or maybe we rationalize and reason that I can’t feel joy when there is so much suffering and struggle in the world.  Unfortunately, cynicism and constant criticism and blaming and shaming are more normal ~ which is to say accepted ~ than offering joy.  This is why I love Cole Arthur Riley’s quote about joy being a quiet (and sometimes NOT so quiet as in the case of belting out Christmas Carols tonight in church) form of rebellion.  If you have not heard of Riley’s amazing work, she is the creator and curator of Black Liturgies and The Center for Dignity and Contemplation, she integrates spirituality with Black culture.  When Riley talks about joy being a form of rebellion, she does that from a social location that is marginalized and too often silenced.  But Riley continues to share her faith, passion, presence, and joy with others in courageous and contagious ways.  Which I believe is what Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Wise Ones, and everyone (including you) who have ever heard the Christmas story is called to do.

 

How is tonight a form of quiet rebellion?  God enters the world amid the hustle and bustle, amid people rushing and racing, amid people who were not paying attention to a star of wonder that shone brightly.  And I am not just talking about two thousand years ago, God enters our world every day.  Not in splash and spectacular ways…not in ways that constantly send goosebumps down your spine…not through fame or fortunate or more followers on social media. God sneaks into the back door of our cluttered soul, shoves aside some of the emotional boxes you have shoved/stored there and sits down.  God shows up in the eyes of the people you encounter, even those who push all your buttons.  God enters again and again and again because Christmas is not just one day, but every day.  The truth of Emmanuel ~ God with us, with of all, forever.  I pray tonight you sense a joy that the world didn’t give to you but is a gift from God.  I pray you will join in worshiping and singing and sharing a truth that makes all the difference ~ makes each of us different to live in the days and years to come.  Tonight, may your soul feel its fullest worth; and may we rejoice with gusto.  O come all ye faithful to the little town of Bethlehem to see the One with eternity dancing in eyes laid away in a manger.