Christians are to be joyful people. As much as we are to be loving and kind we are to be joyful. It is one of the signs, outcomes, blessings that life in the Spirit produces. We are a people who echo the refrain, “We bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Rejoicing even in trials, knowing that no one can take our joy from us and filled with an inexpressible (impossible to explain not as some Christians seem to live, impossible to see) joy.

Stephen Kneale writes, correctly, that:

Biblical Christianity uniquely centres on joy. Jesus came to bring joy to the world. He calls us to enjoy God, and God blesses us so we can enjoy Him. We glorify Him as we enjoy Him, giving thanks that He brings joy, asks nothing for it, and then grants that joy in abundance. God is pro-joy, the Bible is about joy, and the Christian faith is about joy. The Protestant Reformation itself was a movement to reclaim the joy Jesus wants us to have, which had been lost.

So from taking time to look at photos of joy or to reading poems about joy (and here) or listening to some music that causes joy and practising joy (smiling helps, as does watching small children play) but most of all rejoice in the God who delights in his people. This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice in it. Enjoy.