Ode to Joy

Many things in life make us smile, make us laugh or cause us to chuckle deep inside. But what does it take to bring real joy, a deep and satisflying feeling that penetrates our souls and brings unbelievable delight at the very thought.  What grabs us, and stills our hearts, and touches our innermost being with feelings of complete peace. Wow, you think, I don’t know if I have ever felt like that before. Well, you have.

It all started when you were in your mother’s womb, can you imagine a feeling of greater contentment; no worries, no concerns, no need for anything because everything was being taken care of. You may have kicked and turned because you were ready to get out, but you should have stayed where you were. The womb is a place of joy.

It works for the mother too. Have you ever visualized the transformation in an expectant mother’s face, as she gets closer to the due date for her baby? The worries and apprehensions of the unknown change to a fathomless expectation of the joy that will encompass her whole being. A satisfaction that is measureless and lasting for the rest of her life. The miracle of birth is the pinnacle of joy in her life.

Dads contribute very little during the process, but they get to share in the utter and complete gratification of seeing their offspring for the first time. Pride, hope and joy fill their cup. With Mom, they see the fulfillment of a gift from God that gives them so much hope for the future. Like the corny line in the movie, “You complete me”, the phrase is  totally applicable with the birth of a child. Complete joy is felt by Mom and Dad. And oh! how your joy is multiplied when you live long enough to hold your grandchildren in your arms and you feel the pride of knowing that this is your seed and they are reflections of yourself and your children. Unbridled joy that knows no bounds.

Then there was the time when you met that someone special and "zing went the strings" of your heart. It was not complete until she responded and acknowledged that her feelings were reciprocal. Then wow what a feeling for both of you; what a deep satisfying sensation that you have found your soulmate and what joy that someone shares your love with them. It doesn't get any better than that. 

What about all those other times, like when another newborn is brought into the family, or when you have finally accomplished an extremely difficult task that took months to complete, or when you finally walk across that stage and accept that diploma that you have ardently pursued. Maybe you are a physician and you have correctly diagnosed an illness and performed surgery that has healed a precious life; maybe you are an attorney and you have skillfully defended the rights of a client that you have developed strong feelings for their issue; maybe you are a teacher and you see one of your students excel and receive recognition for their contributions. Maybe real joy is contentment that something extraordinary has been accomplished.

And what about those times in your life when you were burdened with the weight of unbearable debt that could not be satisfied. Salary that wouldn’t stretch to keep things current and keep the wolf away from your door. There is no despair worse than waking everyday and wondering how you are going to solve your finances. Then one day, maybe after months or years, something happened and you find a way to make it happen. You get a promotion, a new job, a gift from a family member, a new loan that pays off your debt; something that eradicates your debts and chases away the creditors; something that puts a smile on your face and replaces your anxieties with complete peace. Now there is a peace and joy that starts at your tippy-toes and stretches to the hairs on your head. Maybe you have never experienced that level of joy, but many have.

Ludwig Beethoven became completely deaf by age twenty-five, never to regain the gift of hearing sound, but he continued writing and composing magnificent, lasting pieces of music that are still enjoyed today. When he composed his ninth symphony, the final score was entitled, “Ode to Joy”. It was modeled after a poem written by a German poet named Freidich Schiller, the following translation doesn’t rhyme in English but the words ring true in any language.

O friends, no more of these sounds!
Let us sing more cheerful songs,
More songs full of joy!
Joy!
Joy!
Joy, bright spark of divinity,

All men become brothers,
Under the sway of thy gentle wings.
Whoever has created
An abiding friendship,
Or has won
A true and loving wife,
All who can call at least one soul theirs,
Join our song of praise;

For Beethoven, the joy was in writing and composing music. Though he could not hear the notes on his piano, he could hear them in his heart. He could hear the crescendos and the fortissimos and the gentle pianissimos with the same joy that you and I feel when we hear them played today. “Ode to Joy” is more than a piece of music, it is a testament to the ability of each of us to find true contentment, and peace, and joy in our hearts. It is my prayer that you will understand and experience true joy in your own life, and you will know a genuine peace and contentment in whatever circumstances you are in.

When God looks down and examines our hearts and deeds, He finds ways to allow us to find joy. Pure unfiltered joy that transcends our earthly struggles. Joy that makes life worth living. Joy that is intoxicating and worth all the trials that we endured to achieve it. I wish you such joy.

  

ODE TO JOY

A little bit of history:

By Aaron Green 

Updated December 29, 2018

Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” was composed in 1824, in the final movement of his last, and arguably most famous, symphony, Symphony No. 9. The premiere took place in Vienna on May 7, 1824, and despite its unpracticed and under-rehearsed presentation, the audience was ecstatic. It was the first time Beethoven had appeared on stage in 12 years.

At the end of the performance (though some sources say it could have been after the 2nd movement), it was said that Beethoven continued conducting even though the music had ended. One of the soloists stopped him and turned him around to accept his applause. The audience was aware of Beethoven’s health and hearing loss, so in addition to clapping, they threw their hats and scarves in the air so that he could see their overwhelming approval.