December is upon us. As one of my colleagues preached this week, it will be “Christmas as Unusual.” We’ve done a lot of grieving this year, and I’m sure there will be more to do. But, rather appropriately, I find myself hopeful as December begins. We are in the first week of Advent – the Sunday of Hope was this past Sunday. And while we couldn’t gather, and there were all kinds of things missing as we travelled through the last few days of November, I found myself hopeful in a way I haven’t been for a while.

This December won’t be like others, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make it beautiful.

We can choose to make new memories, to find new ways to celebrate, to be thankful for the simple things and to spread love and light all around this dark side of the year.

So until tomorrow, dear friends, hold to hope, hold to the One who IS our hope, and know that He is faithful.