“The cork at last came out of the bottle with a heart-cheering noise.”

C.S. Lewis, Out of the Silent Planet, 17.

My kids can hear the crinkling sound of a candy wrapper from anywhere in our house. (If you don’t feel like sharing–you’d better open it somewhere else.)

Sounds are powerful. In a noisy world, it’s amazing how it doesn’t all blend together into a raucous cacophony. There are still quiet places–with still small voices that are deeply meaningful, awe inspiring, and profoundly comforting.

There are still happy sounds: hearty laughter, thankful applause, exploding popcorn, tinkling glasses at weddings, sizzling steak, a cooing baby, a crackling fire.

Listen. Can you hear a joyful noise?