In James we read 'Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom' (4: 9). Are we to suppose that this attitude is to characterise the Christian life? I think not. James was appealing for evident repentance to a hedonistic people. I do not think we are meant to put on dour masks throughout life, especially while singing 'O Happy Day'!3

We learn from this brief sketch that the preponderance of Scripture cautions against misplaced merriment. For example Solomon's pursuit of pleasure was essentially hedonistic and the laughter derived from such a lifestyle is denounced as superficial and sinful. He learned that being preoccupied with the temporal world of thrills and the pursuit of happiness through possessions could only produce disappointment. The seriousness of man's lost condition is central to forming an appropriate mood. The conviction of the Holy Spirit must bring about contrition and confession of sin and sinfulness. There is a 'Godly sorrow [that] brings repentance that leads to salvation...' (2 Cor.7: 10).

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But in a psalm that remembers past blessings the psalmist says 'Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy' (Ps.126: 2). There is a connection between laughter and joy inasmuch as laughter may be an audible expression of joy. We who 'believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy' (1 Pet.1: 8) may ask if it is appropriate to express that fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal.5: 22) in laughter?

I'm sure we all believe in the efficacious merit of laughter. The question we are addressing, however, is what place, if any, does humor have in preaching? Those who contrive to stimulate laughter in a religious service as a means of inducing a feeling of wellbeing ought to take heed of these words 'Even in laughter the heart may ache' (Proverbs 14: 13). Recent decades have shown that the absence of humour is preferable to its abuse.4 It seems that laughter may be employed to evade the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The following words seem particularly apt 'I make myself laugh at everything, for fear of having to weep'.5 However, there is an issue of use and misuse to be considered here. Paul tells the Corinthians 'everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way' (1 Cor.14: 40).

I remember one instance when a city centre church had to cancel its plans to spend a weekend together in the countryside because of the restrictions imposed during the 'Foot and Mouth'6 crisis. I had been asked to preach to those who were not going on the weekend but were remaining in their home church. So when I arrived to preach the church was full of people who had expected to be elsewhere on that day. After I was introduced to the congregation I publicly thanked the pastor for the invitation. Then I said: "I know that many of you will be disappointed that the church weekend had to be cancelled especially the children and their parents. It is quite obvious why I have been asked to speak here today. I am the most experienced and the most eminently qualified." I paused while some faces evidently registered disapproval at the apparent arrogance of what I had just said. There was a brief moment of unease, I continued "I am best qualified because I have substantial experience speaking to people who would prefer to be elsewhere!"7 There was a great outburst of laughter, which helped us all to see the funny side of things. This was not showmanship; it was simply interacting with the people and acknowledging the unique circumstances of the occasion that brought us together. You will notice, of course that these words were spoken before I began preaching and as such do not constitute an apologia for the place of humor in preaching!