So, last week, Brandon and I had a conversation in which we discussed things that bring us joy. Like swelling up within us, joy, a feeling of intense gratitude and awe, like, man, I’m so glad XYZ exists!
There aren’t a ton of things that do it, but there are very real things that bring about that feeling. I have really random stupid things that bring me joy. Things like a crazy good image in a line of a Billy Collins poem, my top 15 mix from junior year of college, the scene in Sister Act when people enter the church from the streets because they’ve heard beautiful music and are inexplicably drawn and want to know what the people inside are doing making so much noise. The very thought of that happening in real life and the act of watching it in a freaking Whoopi Goldberg movie brings swelling-up-within-me joy.
Yes, I know I’m WEIRD.
Yesterday, my mother-in-law sent me another seemingly silly thing that brings me intense joy. I can’t figure out how to imbed the YouTube video, so you’ll just have to go to the site to watch the video.
Yes, I know it’s silly. Yes, it’s just a flash mob. Yes, I realize I’m probably the last person to see this seeing as its been on You Tube for days now. And I’m pretty sure that the company that produced this video did it as a marketing scheme. But, I DON’T CARE.
What brings me joy is watching dozens of people who don’t know each other suddenly, inexplicably, break into a song of praise. Yes, it’s a rehearsed Christmas song. Yes, it’s a little cheesy to burst into tears watching a You Tube video. However, how can one not experience pure joy upon seeing/hearing random Christmas shoppers in a suburban Canadian mall sing that “the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” and sing hallelujah to our Great God and King, whether they realize or not that it’s what they’re doing.
I love seeing the man at about 3.23 nodding ever so slightly. I love the woman who takes her son’s hand. I love the guy in the argyle sweater whose smile takes up half his face. I love the people who knew you’re supposed to stand during this chorus. And most of all, I love the people lifting their hands at the end in praise and love for Jesus. Or in excitement at their awesome flash mob. Whatevs.
