Some of you will remember this chorus from our days in Sunday School and Children’s Church.  In the spirit of the Psalms it was an antiphonal song.  We’d sing about “the joy down in my heart” and then exclaim the interrogative, “Where?”  To which the louder response was, “Down in my heart to stay.”  It was a fun song.  It gave those of us with energy management issues an opportunity to yell in church; this was greatly needed though not often spiritual in motive.   When we moved to “Big Church,” we didn’t sing about joy as much and the only one who was yelling was the preacher.  Too bad.  Joy (not yelling) is the fruit of the Spirit and as Eugene Peterson writes, “is characteristic of Christian pilgrimage.”  We may not agree about the canonization of people to sainthood (since all believers are already saints) but Peterson quotes Phyllis McGinley who wrote “…the Catholic Church demands proof of joy in the candidate…I like the suggestion that dourness is not a sacred attribute.”  She makes the disclaimer that she is not positive about such a requirement but it is a good idea.   Peterson goes on to explain that joy is not a requirement for Christian discipleship but rather, it is a consequence.  “Joy is a product of abundance, the overflow of vitality.”  But what in the world do we have to be joyous about?  The political world is a circus.  The everyday work life is a drain.  Violence is increasing.  It’s winter.  People are mean.  I still have nightmares about not being able to find my locker.  Ugh.  Oh wait, I’m saved!  I’m a dearly loved child of the Most High God.  He is with us.  We have a secure future.  My sins have been forgiven.  I have been delivered from the bondage of sin’s grip.  The victory is won.  I have food for today.  I have a pillow.  I have clothes.  Some people love me and I love them.  I have a copy of God’s Word.  He has intentions for me that are good.  Even the bad stuff is redeemable!  The more I “thank” about it, the better this thing looks all the time—and the best is yet to come.  We’ll be talking about “Redemptive Joy” as we share in Communion this Sunday, I hope you can join us “in remembrance of Him” and all He has done for our joy.