"Surprised by Joy"

My niece Joy is visiting me this week as she embarks on a well earned fall break from Lenore Rhyne where she is studying to become a minister of youth in the Lutheran faith. Joy's visit caused me this morning to think about the term "joy." It was used often by CS Lewis, and was even the title of his partial autobiography, not to mention the name of his wife. He talks about experiencing joy for the first time when his uncle brought to him a 'nature' box full of magical things from the woods when he was but a boy in the nursery.

I think we all know what joy is, but my thoughts this morning turn to the ability of God to bring us to joy as a state of being. I am a lover of music, and having been raised in a home that listened daily to the great composers  of the classical tradition, I have acquired a huge affection over the years for Ludwig van Beethoven. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite pieces of music is Beethoven's ninth symphony. When I am driving late at night I will play this symphony completely and it always causes me to experience joy and hope. Here is one of the best recordings for those who want to listen :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZaX6-dsn8

I also looked up the Schiller poem that Beethoven used as a theme for his masterpiece:
ODE TO JOY (Friedrich Schiller)  
   
                       BARITONE, QUARTET, AND CHORUS  
Freude, Scho"ner Go"tterfunken,   Joy, fair spark of the gods,
Tochter aus Elysium,             Daughter of Elysium,
Wir betreten feuer-trunken,         Drunk with fiery rapture, Goddess,
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!         We approach thy shrine!
   
Deine Zauber binden wieder,         Thy magic reunites those
Was die Mode streng geteilt;         Whom stern custom has parted;
Alle Menschen werden Bru"der,   All men will become brothers
Wo dein sanfter Flu"gel weilt.   Under thy gentle wing.
   
Wem der grosse Wurf gelungen,   May he who has had the fortune
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein,   To gain a true friend
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,   And he who has won a noble wife
Mische seinen Jubel ein!                 Join in our jubilation!
   
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele         Yes, even if he calls but one soul
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!   His own in all the world.
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle   But he who has failed in this
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!   Must steal away alone and in tears.
   
Freude trinken alle Wesen       All the world's creatures
An den Bru"sten der Natur;       Draw joy from nature's breast;
Alle Guten, alle Bo"sen         Both the good and the evil
Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.         Follow her rose-strewn path.
   
Ku"sse gab sie uns und Reben,   She gave us kisses and wine
Einen Freund, gepru"ft im Tod;   And a friend loyal unto death;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,   She gave lust for life to the lowliest,
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.   And the Cherub stands before God.
   
                          TENOR SOLO AND CHORUS  
Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen   Joyously, as his suns speed
Durch des Himmels Pra"cht'gen   Plan, Through Heaven's glorious order,
Laufet, Bru"der, eure Bahn,     Hasten, Brothers, on your way,
Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen. Exulting as a knight in victory.

                                CHORUS  
Freude, scho"ner Go"tterfunken,   Joy, fair spark of the gods,
          ...                              ...
   
Seid umschlungen, Millionen!     Be embraced, Millions!
Diesen Kuss der ganzen Welt!     Take this kiss for all the world!
Bru"der u"ber'm Sternenzelt     Brothers, surely a loving Father
Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.   Dwells above the canopy of stars.
   
Ihr stu"rzt nieder, Millionen?   Do you sink before him, Millions?
Ahnest du den Scho"pfer, Welt?   World, do you sense your Creator?
Such'ihn u"ber'm Sternenzelt!   Seek him then beyond the stars!
U"ber Sternen muss er wohnen.     He must dwell beyond the stars.

Galations 5:22 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,(and) faithfulness. May we all be surprised by such joy today!