1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them. [Psalm 126, NIV]
Yesterday, I was visiting with one of my children about how our mood can change just by being able to see a photo or video of one of the babies in our family. They have been the source of a lot of laughter and joy for all of us this year!
The heaviness of the complications and challenges of our daily lives these days threatens to steal our laughter and joy. I don’t know about you, but I am wee bit tired. If I don’t leave the house very often and the news is not on, I don’t think about this pandemic very much. But then, I have to do something and I remember — everything takes longer. And, too often, I forget to build in that extra time to accomplish the task I set out to do.
The Lord has done great things.
The Lord is doing great things.
And the Lord will continue to do great things.
Even in the midst of the challenges of our days — and we are all facing some level of challenge — the Lord is doing great things. Take time to focus on those things and, quite often the laughter and joy will follow.
prayerpointsbyliz 
Joy follows in the morning, my friend used to say that frequently. He was a Catholic Priest who was a chaplain where I used to work. That job was complicated enough but Father Frank made it look easy. His vocation brought understanding, compassion and as much joy as could be found in trying circumstances, a hospital. Father Frank knew from personal experience and he never forgot that, so he worked hard to be a person who brought as much solace to everyone he encountered. First solace then joy followed when it was the right time. Bringing joy is not always easy, sometimes it is inappropriate, solace always is and just as difficult as joy. But they walk hand in hand. Do I bring joy and solace this Christmas season? I try ,but being socially isolated by necessity, CoViD19 is spreading faster here than a wind driven fire, it is very limited. So now joy will have to be in small packages of politeness, kind words, spoken appreciation towards others. Devotion to God always brings both solace and joy. Father Frank is no longer living on this planet, he is still a long time friend, I remember all the ways he tried to bring solace and then joy and use them as examples when the right time comes. Joy follows in the morning. I need to remember to “be the source of joy”.