Contagious Joy (12/21/2025)

This past week, I noticed the joy on people’s faces as they held the doors open for me. I heard the joy in people’s voices as they said, “Merry Christmas.” And I found my own joy increasing. Joy is like that. It is contagious.

Watch the face of the adult in the pew behind the toddler who makes eye contact and smiles. The adult’s face lights up, too. Joy is contagious.

On our advent march to Christmas Day, we began with a week of hope, moved on to the week of peace, we just finished our week dedicated to joy. This week, today, we begin the week of love. Joy can be the key that opens us up to the wonder of love.

When joy is in the air, we see one another in a different light. We are more accepting of others, we are more aware of the little things, we are more attentive to those around us and less protective of and concerned about ourselves. And when that happens, in our openness, we are more receptive to all things good and loving.

Abraham Lincoln once said that “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” We are people who have every reason in the world for joy. We are the beloved of Christ, the sisters and brothers of the Son of God. Through His love, we have been redeemed and called to be a part of His ongoing mission in this world. Who are we to have been given such a gift? Who are we to have been called to share such a mission? We are His and He reminds us that we are “Blessed” or to put it another way “Happy.” Joy is one of our characteristics because we recognize even on a less than perfect day that we are not alone and that we are loved.

Have you ever noticed the effect a joyful person has on others? Not only does the joy spread, but as their faces open up with smiles, so does their vision and ability to spot good.  

As we go forth these final days before Christmas, let us be bearers of joy to those whom we encounter in the name of our Savior.  Let us be joy spreaders.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.