There is a sense of humor to life that we do well to cultivate. God has given us the gift of laughter but we have to learn to laugh. We are created with a capacity for fun but we have to discover that which is funny. The drama of life contains both tragedy and comedy. We have to blend the humorous with the tragic lest we have nothing but tears. People who never allow themselves to see the funny aspect of things are prone to focus on the dark side of life. It is an unpleasant way to live because life without laughter is dull and routine. People with sad faces and sour dispositions make life difficult for those with whom they live. No one enjoys being around a narrow, nagging critic of the human race. It is laughter that enlivens a relationship. It is humor that counteracts sadness and helps us endure life's monotony. It can be fun to be alive if we know how to laugh. It is equally important to know what to laugh about because a distorted sense of humor can be as obnoxious as no humor at all.

The gospels portray Jesus as having a sense of humor. He laughed and played with the children and used their fun-filled lives as an illustration of the kingdom person. He began His Sermon on the Mount with the happiness beatitudes. His first miracle was performed in the jolly mood of a wedding celebration. There is subtle humor in the way He described the inconsistencies of the scribes and Pharisees. He poked fun at Simon Peter for thinking he was too strong to desert his Lord. He must have chuckled to Himself listening to His companions on the Emmaus Road discuss His crucifixion, unaware as to Whom they were talking.

"Rejoicing" is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament as persecuted and misunderstood Christians were encouraged to laugh and enjoy their relationship to Christ and to one another. Tradition records that John the beloved disciple was being reprimanded by a sanctimonious Christian for playing with his pigeons. His response was profound as he stated, "The bow that is always bent soon fails to shoot straight." The early forbearers of Christianity made joy a priority of their faith. We learn from them that a somber and forlorn faith will not contribute to life's happiness.