The Season of Merry

In This lesson Pastor Hille notes the "season of Merry". James tells us that if we are filled with cheer, we should sing psalms or praise the Lord! Thus, James attributes our cheer to the Lord.
Pastor Hille also addresses the link between afflictions and merriment (cheerfulness): prayer. Those who are children of God and find themselves in hardship are to pray and their afflictions will be turned to cheer in the Lord. And then praises will be lifted up unto our God.