JOY TO THE WORLD- SING IT LOUD (Revisited)

      This is our grandson, Archer. He's singing "Joy to the World," and he is singing it loudly. Indeed, his entire class is singing for joy, and the good Lord knows that we need a lot more joy. "Joy to the world; all the boys and girls; joy to the fishes... in the deep blue sea; joy to you and me." Sing for joy, Archer. Sing loudly... keep the door to your soul open...and embrace it when it comes to you because joy is a marvelous thing.
      Take it from your Poppy, Archer- joy is an incredible thing. Money can't buy it, and poverty can't snuff it out. It is bigger than fun and it's deeper than pleasure... although I don't consider either one to be at odds with joy. Joy bubbles up from deep within, and it's a feeling of oneness with yourself and the world. When you experience joy, your skin will fit perfectly and your soul will be light- so light that you will nearly float away. It's hard to define joy, and many people mistake it for good times and laughter. These things are not the same as joy, although I am fond of all of them, because they can all be manufactured and owned. Joy, on the other hand, is a gift that brings a gladness to your entire being.
      According to the Bible, joy will come to you... if you have someone to love and be loved by, if you have something to do that's worth doing, and if your life is connected with God. According to others, joy comes to us when we have someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for. Someone noted that "joy is peace on its feet," and there are literally hundreds of other opinions. Many of these opinions are offered by very wise people, but I'm content to keep these points in mind: 1) joy is a gift, which means that it cannot be created or contained; 2) joy is multiplied when its shared with others; 3) joy is a glimpse of our best self and a taste of the way things are meant to be.
      I've tried to have joy on my own terms, Archer. I've insisted on it and I've begged for it. I've manipulated and I've bullied others to get it... but it cannot be earned, stolen, or tracked down. Ir is gift- a beautiful gift. So, sing the song, Archer... everyday and to everyone. Sing it to the poor. Sing it to the rich. Sing it to the hungry. Sing it to those who are full. Sing it to those who live mostly in sunny days and sing it to those for whom the rain is always falling. Sing it to those who face obstacles that most of us never face. Sing it to those who are shut-in and shut-out, and sing it to those who have too many invitations to count. Sing it to those who are imprisoned in all the ways we get imprisoned. Sing it to those who think that they're ugly, unimportant, and disposable  Sing it to those who are invariably one step in front or one step behind the others, and sing it to those who seem to fit in with any crowd. Sing it to those who are drowning in their own tears, and sing it to those who are drunk on their own wine. Sing it to those who are afraid to dream, sing it to those who are just weary from the road,  And sing it for me as well...
      Joy to the world/ all the boys and girls/ joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea/ joy to you and me. Joy to the world' all the boys and girls/ joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea/ joy to you and me......