“From silly devotions and sour faced saints,” prayed St. Teresa, “good Lord deliver us.” Let’s make a deal: I will try not to make this sermon a “silly devotion” if you will not look at me with a sour face. Our subject today is joy. I thought we might begin with a little church humor:

A pastor caught three small children stealing oranges from his tree. “Do you know what the Bible says about thieves?” he asked.

“Yes sir!” one answered. “Today you will be with me in paradise!”

A florist’s new assistant took a telephone order from a customer. “The ribbon must be white,” said the woman on the phone, “with gold letters reading, ‘Rest in peace’ on both sides. And, if you can squeeze it in, ‘We shall meet in heaven.’"

When the floral tribute arrived at the home of the deceased, the beautiful …