The Safeguard of Joy

Luke ii. 10 v.

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.”

“Good tidings to you which shall be to all.” I would fear very much if they were only for me. I would rather have a solitary grief than a solitary joy, oh! my Father. If I must be imprisoned within myself, let it not be by the gates of pearl and gold. My chariot of fire would burn me if I ascended alone. How could I tell my joy to my brother if it were not a universal joy? I can tell my grief to the glad, but not my gladness to the grieving. I dare

THE [SAFEGUARD OF JOY. 53

not spread my banquet at the open window, where the hungry are passing by. Therefore, oh! my Father, I rejoice that Thou hast sent into my heart a ray of glory which is not alone for me. I rejoice that Thou hast given me a treasure which I need not hide from my brother. I rejoice that the light which sparkles in my pool is not from the candle, but from the moon. The candle is for me, but the moon is for all. Put out my candle, oh! my Father. Extinguish the joy that is proud of being unshared. Lower the lamp which shines only on my own mirror. Let down the lights that make a wall between myself and the weary. And over the darkness let there rise the star — Bethlehem’s star, humanity’s star, the star that shines for one because it shines for all. Let me say: “How glad the shepherds will be, how glad the sages will be, how glad the manger will be!” When I see the common star I shall rejoice with exceeding great joy.