Laughter us a great gift for celebration, not a weapon of denigration.

It is the natural spill-over of the joy that wells up inside of us and in response to surprise, absurdity, and silly wonder.

It can be an offering of praise or a response to relief.

It is something to be cherished and employed wisely.

It is an activity in which our Father participates, with us and which we can enjoy together.

Here are some reflections on laughter from The Message.

Genesis 17:19

 ¹⁹ But God said, "That's not what I mean. Your wife, Sarah, will have a baby, a son. Name him Isaac (Laughter). I'll establish my covenant with him and his descendants, a covenant that lasts forever.''

 ^5-6 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born.

   Sarah said,

      God has blessed me with laughter
      and all who get the news will laugh with me!

1 Samuel 2

 ¹ Hannah prayed: I'm bursting with God-news! I'm walking on air.
    I'm laughing at my rivals. I'm dancing my salvation.

 ^15-17 Mordecai walked out of the king's presence wearing a royal robe of violet and white, a huge gold crown, and a purple cape of fine linen. The city of Susa exploded with joy. For Jews it was all sunshine and laughter: they celebrated, they were honored. It was that way all over the country, in every province, every city when the king's bulletin was posted: the Jews took to the streets in celebration, cheering, and feasting. Not only that, but many non-Jews became Jews—now it was dangerous not to be a Jew!

Psalm 100

 ^1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
      sing yourselves into his presence.

      don't hold a grudge against us forever.
   You aren't going to keep this up, are you?
      scowling and angry, year after year?
   Why not help us make a fresh start—a resurrection life?
      Then your people will laugh and sing!
   Show us how much you love us, God!
      Give us the salvation we need!

 ^17-18 Don't laugh when your enemy falls;
   don't crow over his collapse.
God might see, and become very provoked,
   and then take pity on his plight.

from The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

“I personally believe that each of us was put here for a purpose — to build not to destroy. If I can make people smile, then I have served my purpose for God.” – Red Skelton

So let's take a few moments for a smile and a belly laugh. We are never poor if we have laughter in our lives. That is especially true if we can learn to laugh at ourselves.