A Simple Joy

We are home from India now, with minds full of potent new images of life. One of those images is of a simple joy.

On your behalf we visited in and around Chennai, Delhi, Indore and the Jobat area. As moderator I received (again, on your behalf), the thanks and admiration of a grateful people. You have done and continue to do great work. We received thanks in the high office of the moderator of the Church of North India and in the humblest of villages, both urban and rural. There was a scene in one small village that I knew I would be bringing home to share.

As we entered I began thinking of ancient Bethlehem. Perhaps it was the animals all over this village tucked away on the Indian countryside. The people moved here from another village that could no longer support them. (The yearly number of births in India is equal to the entire population of Australia.) They squatted on a small piece of rural land and the government let them stay.

They gathered to welcome us. With pride they showed the well the government had just provided. They celebrated with joy their new access to water— murky, green water. But the well was a promise of greater things to come.

They walked with us along the paths, pushing aside the livestock and dogs and chickens. They led us to a gathering place between their huts. They gestured to a bed covered with a recycled Care Bears blanket. They invited us to sit, as if on a throne. They sat on the ground around us.

One of their leaders came and bowed to the ground before the Moderator. Then he grovelled, scratching the dirt just beyond my toes. I wept on your behalf, that anyone, anywhere, should feel the need to express humility in this way. There were speeches and garlands of gratitude. Then someone asked if we would like to hear a song. We welcomed their gift.

The man who grovelled left and with some authority ordered in Hindi that something should be retrieved. Younger men brought a used paint can, a stick attached to the can with a thin metal wire and another stick with animal hair like a violin bow. The man sat before us, played his “paint can cello” and crooned with joy. At the chorus, the whole village joined in. In their eyes was joy; a thankfulness and strength arising from what others had done for them.

They found joy in their new well and the promise of government acceptance and support it represented. They found joy in the lessons of basic health and hygiene and witness offered through the local Christian church. They found joy in the generosity and love we represented.

Joy distinguishes itself as delight in the character or accomplishment of another. It requires us to look from what we do to what is done for us. Joy celebrates the gifts and giftedness others bring into our lives. “Joy to the world,” we will sing, “the Lord has come.”

Luke 2:10 – 11:”But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”

The joy of Christmas is greater than anything we have or do. The joy arises out of our celebration of the eternal character of God expressed in the Saviour Babe born in a manger.