The Christian year begins with Advent, and it begins with waiting in darkness. Most of our culture jumps to Christmas skipping Advent, but when we do this, we miss an important piece of the story. None of us like to wait, but making the space for waiting adds to the joy of the coming of Christ.

V is for Victorious. Maybe the idea of the victorious Christian life doesn’t sit well with you. The victory we have in Christ is full of nuance and mystery. When God saves the day with a miracle, we experience victory; when God allows suffering and heartache and darkness to reign, and we stay faithful, that is victory as well. The call is to a kingdom view of victory. God is victory so being with him is victorious.