Joy to the World, 
The Lord is come,
Let earth receive her King! 

In light of recent tragedies, how do we sing in the midst of great sorrow? 

On Joy and Sorrow 
       ------Kahlil Gibran

Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” 
and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
       -------Kahlil Gibran

So also, you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
      ------John 16:22

Joy as Rest
Let me rest in Your will and be silent. Then the light of Your joy will warm my life. Its fire will burn in my heart and shine for Your glory. This is what I live for. Amen, amen.
        -------Thomas Merton

Joy is a light in the dark.
The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it.  Of that we sing.
                    — Brené Brown

See Also:

Repeat the sounding joy . . .