“It’s an icy winter night, and O’Hare International Airport is in bedlam.  All flights are canceled.  Visibility is poor to fog, frost and freezing rain.  Thousands of people are clustered at the ticket counters; some clamoring for redress, others wrapped in stoic silence.  Children are crying, the PA system is blaring, and the defeated are bellying up to the bar.  I’m in mild turmoil.  How can the Good News be proclaimed in Dallas if the weather won’t shape up in Chicago?

Across the aisle sits a middle-aged black woman cradling a child.  It’s more than a serene smile playing at the corners of her mouth.  She’s laughing.  She’s actually laughing?  Intrigued I cross the aisle and find myself staring at the woman.  She looks up.  “Ma’am, you’re the only person in this place who seems to be together.  Would you mind telling me why you’re so happy?”  “Sho,” she said.  “Christmas is coming and dat Jesus – He makes me laugh!”  (From: Souvenirs of Solitude by Brennan Manning)

Dat Jesus – He makes me laugh.  What a great phrase.  We need to see beyond all the disappointing news from around the world; news that lends itself more to fear than to laughter.  Can we actually be not so serious and more child-like in this season so that we might find laughter?  Let’s rejoice and laugh over “glad tidings of great joy.”  Christmas is coming…allow God’s laughter given to us through His Son to fill you with comfort and joy.