For the Magi, what elicited this extreme joy was not merely the excitement of discovering an unusual star, or the lining up of stars, but an awareness that Messiah has come - a Savior has been born - eternal deliverance and the kingdom of God is on the way.

So it would seem only right that those of us who, like them, receive this revelation, ought also to be filled with this same extravagant joy. The question then is, why not? What is it that ruins it for us?

In wise Solomon's collection of love songs called Song of Songs, there's a line which says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." (KJV) "Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom." (Song of Solomon 2:15 - NIV)

We all know that wine is a very frequent symbol of joy and merrymaking. Why do you think Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana? Obviously, to encourage the party in their joyful celebration.

But Solomon is aware that there are vineyard spoilers - little foxes that can bring merrymaking to an end.

What we learn about the foxes of Palestinian is that they are much like our red fox:

These foxes are part of the dog family.

They are "carnivorous, wary, quick-sensed, swift and crafty", likely identified with the jackal - small animals that "hunt in small packs in a stealthy manner at night."

They are scavengers that hide out in abandoned buildings and desolate spots. (Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary)

In the dictionary definition of jackal, this note is added, "One who does mean work for another's advantage." (Doesn't that sound like your 9-5 job?)

We know that although jackals (little foxes) feed on dead flesh, they also have a weakness for grapes. However the grapes evidently don't have the same affect on them as wine does on us - their mournful cries are heard every night throughout the countryside.

Also note that these are described as "little" foxes. That probably means that these things which spoil the vineyards are unnoticed at first.

Now if these little pests spoil the joy, what are they? Let's give these foxes names:

"Worry fox"

When Paul wrote his letter to the church in Philippi, he no doubt had in mind the hours he and Silas spent in jail, and how they determined to praise the Lord in the midst of adverse circumstances. So later he writes "rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” But notice that this exhortation is combined with "do not be anxious about anything." Let's not allow the "worry fox" to spoil our joy.

"Distraction fox"

I'm sure you remember the story of Nehemiah who was sent by God to organize the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. Through hard work and great cooperation, this job was completed in 52 days. But their success was not only due to their hard work and cooperation, it was also because they refused to be distracted from the task at hand - they never lost their focus. It's interesting to see that at the end of the project, Nehemiah identified the source of their strength when he commented, "the joy of the Lord is our strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) When we keep our focus on the Lord, we can avoid having the "distraction fox" ruin our joy.

"Materialism fox"

Often, even in the media, we hear someone say, as though quoting from the Bible, "Money is the root of all evil." But they miss three words at the beginning - it's "the love of" money that is the root of all evil. If money is the object of our affection, our joy will be spoiled by the "materialism fox." This is clearly seen in the Gospel story of the wealthy young man. Matthew tells us that when Jesus instructed him to let it all go, "the young man . . . went away sorrowful for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:22)

Finally, there is what we will call the

"Narcissism fox," what in plain English is self-centeredness.

When the writers of the great American document, the Declaration of Independence, were laboring over various phrases, there was a disagreement regarding the three inalienable rights. "Life" and "Liberty" caused little stir, but the last one, as formerly expressed by philosopher, Thomas Paine, was changed. In his version, it was to be "Life, Liberty" and "Property." Thomas Jefferson won the day with the wording, "Pursuit of Happiness." Of course neither of these rise to level of "Life" and "Liberty," but we are left to wonder if the wrong choice was made. The problem is that we tend to interpret happiness in an entirely individualistic manner. "I have the right to pursue happiness, and everyone else will just have to get out of my way." Consequently we have a pleasure seeking society - this little twist of wording has moved us far beyond the dictates of the Bible. Jesus, who is allegedly the One who guides our way, said something very different - He said, "Seek first the kingdom, and all these things - and all joy will be added to you."

I love the title of C.S. Lewis' book, "Surprised by Joy." I realize that part of what Lewis was saying was that he was surprised by the love of the woman named who would become his wife; her name was Joy. But I'm sure he would admit that a double meaning was intended. Seeking pleasure will not lead to joy; rather, narcissism will ultimately spoil it.

Going back to the story of the Babylonian astrologers in the Christmas story, one other thing stands out. The extreme joy they experienced was expressed both as a noun and as a verb. That is, they had it and they did it. You see, joy is something we do, not merely something we have.

Even though the Magi had an "exceeding great joy," it is nothing to be compared to that which the Lord has prepared for them that love Him. We have some joy, and we engage in rejoicing, but the truly "exceeding great joy" is yet to come - in that day when Jesus the Messiah will return to receive all who believe.

1. If a street poll were to be taken asking the question, "What is it that brings excitement into your life?" what do you think some of the answers would be?

2. For most people there is an ebb and flow of excitement about coming to church. Why is that? And where are you in this ebb and flow?

3. What delights us at Christmas time?

4. From where did the Magi come, how far did they travel, and how would they know about the Jewish promised Messiah and King?

5. The adjective "mega" is in front of the "joy" felt by the Magi. What are some contemporary uses of this word, and how does this apply to our story?

6. When Matthew uses the word for "exceeding,' it has to do with negative emotions such as terror, grief and distress. What is the message to us when we find out it can also be used in connection with joy?

7. If the Bible's use of wine symbolizes joy, what does it suggest when it says the "little foxes spoil the vine"?

8. The Old Testament word for "fox" probably refers to the "jackal." What are some of the names we can give to these little animals that can spoil our joy?

9. Right after Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4) what does he offer as an antidote to anxiety?

10. Who coined the expression "the joy of the Lord is our strength" and what was the context of this statement?

11. If this statement untrue, why? "Money is the root of all evil."

12. What can be the problem with our thinking that the "pursuit of happiness" is an inalienable right given by God?

13. We know that jackals hunt in packs; what does that suggest about joy spoilers?

14. What is the significance of these animals being "little" foxes?

15. What is the importance of pointing out that the mega-joy experienced by the Magi was both noun and verb?