Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace

You have probably seen this video on FB. It is an endearing few moments of love, dancing, and laughter for a young girl (maybe 3 or 4 years old) as she leans on the sofa next to the big picture window and waits for her friend, the mailman, Ian. When he does arrive, she begins to dance and jump on the sofa, and wave to Ian. He, in turn, dances, jumps up and down, and waves back to her as he brings the mail to her door and as he leaves the house.

It is a relationship that began out of COVID19. She couldn’t go outside to greet him nor could she go to the door to say “hello” and get the mail. But she could see him through the big picture window overlooking her front yard. Ian, it seems, is a very friendly mailman who waves to his friends and flashes his naturally cheerful smile to them daily. But this is a special relationship with the little girl. Even the neighbors have begun watching!

As I watch this scenario, I think about how this 59 second video clearly demonstrates the themes of the season of Advent. There are 4 weeks which make up the Advent season and lead to the celebration of Jesus’ birth. As I researched these 4 themes, I found that there were some slight differences of themes so I used those from the United Methodist church - Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.

You must see this video before I explain my thoughts!

LIttle Girl and Mailman

Hope - This little girl has definite Hope that her mailman, Ian, will be coming at or near a specified time each day. She has no doubt about this. She is expectant, excited, and patiently waiting for him to come.

We also have Hope for the coming celebration of Jesus' birth. His birth gives us the Hope of everlasting life and an everlasting home. It gives us Hope for a new day, a new focus on life, a new job, a new friend. This Hope never ends.

Love - She loves this relationship with Ian. It gives her a connection with the outside world, and he responds to her as much as she responds to him. There is a true connection between the two. One depends on the other and vice versa.

Our Love for Jesus is quite the same. Once we have that connection with Him (accepted Him into our hearts), we have a Love for Him that is like no other. We depend on Him, and He depends on us to talk to Him and tell Him everything! This Love gives us strength!

Joy - As you can see, she has so much Joy when he is there. They are both waving, jumping, dancing, and smiling from the time he gets to her sidewalk to the time he leaves her sidewalk. What joy fills her heart!

The Joy of the Lord is our strength! What Joy fills our hearts and minds when we are laughing and crying to our God. And we know that He is always with us and will not ever leave us.

Peace - Although we don’t have video after Ian leaves, I imagine that this little girl is still

relishing the joy in her heart which results in Peace. A Peace that all is well with the world! A Peace that satisfies her feelings of hope, love, and joy from connecting with Ian one more time. A Peace that takes her through the rest of her disconnected day.

Jesus gives us Peace, and this is a Peace that passes all human understanding. It is a Peace that gives the assurance of our faith. It is a Peace that lets us know that all we ask or desire of God will be given to us if we truly believe, and it is part of His will. 1 John 5:14-15

To my dear friends, this Advent season has had more of an impression on my spirit this year. I pray that it has for you as well. The world is an upside down place right now and may continue for some time to come. But know this: Our God is in control of ALL THINGS! He will never leave us nor forsake us! He will shower us with Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace when we come to Him; come seeking Him.

We don't have to end 2020 on a low and sorrowful note. Seek Him now! May it happen this Advent season of 2020!!

Merry Christmas to all of you, and I thank you for reading these God-inspired messages in 2020.

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel