First Sunday of Advent reminds us that hope is our calling even in the darkest times

Ask almost anyone, anywhere, and they’ll tell you that 2025 has been a hard year. We’ve witnessed global wars, school shootings and an alarming rise in political violence. We’ve endured a cost-of-living crisis, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, natural disasters that have affected millions, and much, much more.For many of us, this year has felt like one setback after another. In the midst of this reality, it is easy to focus on the evil in this world and lose hop