According to The Great Book of British Useless Information, in 2009 Cadbury decided to warn their customers that Dairy Milk contained – Milk! Asda was once recorded as following “Allergy Advice” and decided to place a serious warning that plastic milk bottles contain MILK! I am amused whenever I visit a local Card Shop because many of the packaged cards have a warning – Please remove packaging before posting.
A good friend of mine, sadly no longer with us, had the desire to publish a book containing notices given in church that caused congregations to laugh. Sadly, that was never started, but it reminded me of the speaker at a Bible conference who said, “I cannot find any scripture to support this statement, but I don’t believe you can be a true Christian, without a sense of humour”.
As I look back over many years of attending services, humour was seldom used other than possibly during Children’s services. I recall an occasion when after the first conference speaker gave an address that was greatly appreciated (though in those days we didn’t applaud) and following a hymn, the next speaker started by telling a joke. This was met by an embarrassing silence apart from one young man who thought it was very funny, but whose laughter was quickly silenced by condemning looks from some around him.
I have heard some share that they believe some of Jesus’ comments indicated that he had a sense of humour, though that may be difficult to appreciate with most translations. Hebrews 12 verse 2 speaks of the “joy that was before Him – Jesus. Philippians 2 states “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Is a sense of humour an indication of our joy, and is it an essential character trait for the Christian? I will leave you to consider this.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father may our relationship with you be demonstrated in such a way that we may make your joy complete. AMEN