I almost always enjoyed the laughter of our sons.  There was a time or two that their laughter was “at my expense,” but overall, hearing them laugh brought me joy.  The laughter of my grandchildren is like sunshine and blue skies.  It is like a cool beverage on a hot day.  It’s better than opening day of squirrel season!  When those kids laugh from their bellies, it is a little glimpse of Heaven.  I haven’t always believed that…the Heaven part.  I must admit that for many years I imagined that God tolerated our laughter.  I viewed laughter as a rather necessary evil that God put up with until we outgrew it.  C.S. Lewis and John Ortberg helped me understand that laughter, joy and even happiness are not anomalies associated with the fall but are actually reflections of God’s nature and “whiffs of Heaven.”  I cried the day I read “God is the happiest, most joyful being in the universe.”  I remember feeling so happy that God was happy!  The Scriptures reveal this.  Psalm 16:11, “…in Your presence is fullness of joy!”  Nehemiah 8:10, “…do not grieve, the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Romans 14:17, “…the kingdom of God is…righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Of course there is inappropriate laughter just as there is inappropriate eating and inappropriate sex.  The devil specializes in taking the good gifts of God and perverting them for our ruin.  We should not allow his perversions to rob us of God’s blessings.  So, reflecting on the First Advent of our Lord and the angelic host that brought good tidings of great joy, let’s remember this joy is the mood of Heaven.  “Joy to the World” is more than the title of a Christmas Carol, it is the good will of God toward mankind.  He wants us to have what Father/Son/Spirit already enjoy!  Woe to the people that think hell is where the party is going to be.  The best, purest, holiest and most robust laughter and joy will be in the presence of JOY Himself.  Let’s reflect Him now in anticipation of the fullness of joy in His presence.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!