Up until now, in my melancholic state and emotions, I can still hear the repeating sound of joy echoing the valleys and hills in my childhood days during the Christmas season.
Christmas comes in the winter season in our region. Winters were suitable for growing mustard at the end of other seasonal crops.
We spent most of the time watching the field, sometimes throughout the night. The blue sky lit up by the moon and stars is a sight to remember.
The sound of joy – the Christmas hymns, carols, songs, mostly traditional echoing the hills and the dale of the river nearby. It is this sound of joy ringing in the back of my mind that brought me joy and renewed me to this date and year.
I remember our small PA Amplifier with a horn speaker, at home. The horn speaker was used to play out the Christmas songs, which echoed the hills and valleys.
It was a good time then: the ethnic conflict hadn’t broken loose as yet. The beautiful dale between the hills was not submerged by the man-made lake as yet.
The PA amplifier, as we simply refer to it was for service, which means it was available for rent for all sorts of household programs and social gatherings in the nearby village.
In the interim, I vividly remember that one of the family had to accompany it wherever it was rented. It was a small business at the time.
The Sounding Joy:
Now coming back to the time that has gone by, it brings back memories of the joyous hymns and songs that have filled the hills and the valleys.
In the dark of the night, while not at home outside in the field, we’d joke about how even the ghost must have feared the praise of the newborn king
It is poignant to note that doctrinal heresies were doing the rounds in our small community. Some people pointed out the celebration’s negativity rather than the birth of the Savior 2000 years ago.
Although all these issues may play a significant role in the thinking mind, they must not steal the joy of the heart.
Joy to the world:
As I am on this note, here is an excerpt from a very familiar Christmas carol that comes to mind;
Joy to the world the savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods rock hills and plains
Repeat the sound of joy
Repeat the sound of joy
Repeat, repeat the sound of joy
I can’t imagine what life would be like in 1719 when Isaac Watts wrote the lyrics and the tune attributed during the 1840s. It was way beyond my time, to say the least.
It still gives me goosebumps when I listen to it in my quiet. It brings back all the good years when all my family members were in tandem in every sphere.
We all have those good times, I believe before death took away our loved ones. The sound of joy filled the house and the surroundings as we geared up for the coming festive season.
The Joy of Salvation:
Now Simeon was a devout and righteous man in Jerusalem, he was eagerly waiting for the Messiah. He was there when Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required.
Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel! Luke 2:25-35
The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. And then all people will see the salvation sent from God. Luke 3:5-6, Isaiah 40
The Joy of God’s Clothing:
After the fall of man, our eyes opened, and we could not cover ourselves, but God did. The Lord God took the very first step to cover us – his handiwork and masterpieces, he loved and cared for us in the very first place.
It is written, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” Gen. 3:7
The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21 This act of grace says a lot or sows the seed, for the coming of the Savior. He came as an infant till he paid the price for our sins on Calvary’s Cross. John 3:16
Shout for Joy:
Thus, the Psalmist invites us to sing for joy,
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn.
Shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the people with equity. Psalms 98
You may have already planned for Christmas, but I urged you to take time and meditate on the purpose of His coming so that you will repeat the sound of joy throughout the year and in the future.
Merry Christmas!
Blessing to you and your family!
Thanks.