My old CBS News colleague Dan Rather sent this out this morning to his Substack subscribers, along with some thoughts on a three-letter word that we’ve been hearing more lately:
The word joy brings to mind that fun and uplifting song “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night. The lyrics have always confounded me, like many songs from that era. Who the heck is Jeremiah, and why are they singing about a bullfrog? Apparently, the nonsensical lyrics were a product of the songwriter wanting to showcase the melody, and they stuck. Whatever the reason, those silly words make the song even more joyful, and it is this week’s reason to smile.
“Joy to the World” was the number one pop song in 1971 — another year that needed an injection of joy (see Vietnam).
And if you can believe it, Three Dog Night is still performing with one of the original band members, 81-year-old lead vocalist Danny Hutton.
This Sunday, we hear St. Paul’s words to the people at Ephesus:
All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling
must be removed from you, along with all malice.
And be kind to one another, compassionate,
forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
I would add to that: take time to rediscover an often-forgotten cornerstone of our faith, joy.
So, crank up the volume and listen. I don’t know about you, but I need this right now.
You can find more of Dan’s musings right here.
