Friends,
As this year draws to a close, I’m approaching the holidays with a hopeful spirit.
To me, Christmas time is a reminder that even in uncertain and difficult times, hope is a light that can be found in the darkness. But hope is not passive — it’s something we carry with us and put into action. We welcome the stranger, stand against injustice, foster peace, and choose mercy, especially when doing so is hard.
This has been a difficult year for many families here in Virginia and around the world. Too many are struggling to make ends meet, facing fear and instability, and worrying for loved ones. In moments like these, hope matters more than ever — not as wishful thinking, but as a commitment to care for one another and keep moving forward together.
My faith teaches me that hope endures when we choose compassion over fear and solidarity over division. That’s the spirit I’m holding onto this Christmas.
Anne and I wish you and your family peace, hope, and community this holiday season.
Joy to the World!
—Tim Kaine
