Originally published in the Deseret News.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalms 98:4

Next week the Christian world will celebrate Christmas. I write this column from a Christian perspective with the hope that people from all faith traditions will benefit.

My favorite Christmas song is Joy to the World. I love it because of the profoundly hopeful message it shares with all who will listen. Written in the early 1700s, the song uses simple, yet vivid imagery to depict a world celebrating the arrival of a Savior. The music and lyrics are a declaration of hope for the future of the world, and at a much more personal level, for all of us.

I find it particularly powerful how the carol brings together heaven and earth in song. This union comforts me as I feel closer to my Maker and less alone. Indeed, the distance between earth and heaven sometimes seems too far, and this hymn shortens the gap. In a remarkable moment of joy and song the fields, rocks, hills and plains join the chorus and “repeat the sounding joy.” At this moment, earth and heaven are one.

I don’t know exactly what joy sounds like, but I know I have felt it and will try to give it words.

Joy is more than happiness. It’s deeper, longer lasting and calls upon our inner selves. Joy isn’t experienced alone, but through connection with the people we love. Fulfilling relationships are at the core of joyful living. Joy is more spiritual than physical. It’s felt in the soul. And joy comes from a knowledge that whatever circumstances we find ourselves in we have a promise of a better life. Joy smacks with optimism.

At a more practical level it works something like this: For those of us with health challenges — physical or mental — we will feel whole again.

For those of us with financial struggles — the threat of losing our home or a job, or a mountain of debt — we will be relieved of the burden.

For those of us with a strained or even broken relationship, we will feel more love, more compassion. We will be able to love again.

For those of us with a loved one who suffers, there is hope. They will find comfort.

And for those of us who feel harmed in any way — unjustly treated or physically or emotionally abused — we will feel empowered to forgive and start anew. This is the world the hymn Joy to the World celebrates.

The third verse of the hymn makes all of this clear when it says, “No more will sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make His blessings flow.” In this way we are assured that life’s blessings will come. They do come. The key is to have faith. Redemption is there for all of us. For this we can celebrate, love, and even sing.

I hope all of us this holiday season, regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation, will feel the promise of the season. There is joy to be found in this world. It’s found in the loving promise of a better future.

May we share our love and feel the love of others during our journeys. May we, as the saying goes, speak love, and then speak it again. May we remember, particularly anyone who is hurting or afraid, life gets better. The end is better than the beginning. There is a permanent victory for us all. And, for this knowledge may we all celebrate and sing praise.