Dear High School Community,

Like all of you, I have been heartsick over the tragic fire in our city that took so many lives. Homes, schedules, and hearts have been shaken. Across Hong Kong, events are being canceled or postponed as we mourn together. In that shared grief, I want to speak clearly about the Christian hope that steadies us, not a shallow optimism, but a cross-and-resurrection hope that sings even in the dark.

Many of us know Dr. Seuss’s tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! After everything is stripped away from Whoville, the gifts, the feast, the decorations, the Whos still gather to sing. Their joy is not naïve, it is rooted in something deeper than what can be taken. In a similar, yet far more profound way, the Gospel gives followers of Jesus a hope that cannot be stolen. Paul writes that we “do not mourn like those without hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Notice that we do mourn. Christian grief is real, honest, and compassionate. But it is not hopeless. It is held by the promise that Jesus conquered death, that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38–39), and that one day He will wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4).

Naive optimism says, “Things will probably get better soon.” Christian hope says, “Even if they don’t get better soon, Christ is risen, is with us now, and will make all things new.” In this season, our community can embody that kind of hope, grief that tells the truth and grace that keeps singing. We will make space to lament, pray, and name our sorrow before the Lord, who is “close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). We will keep showing up for one another in class and community, not to pretend everything is normal, but to practice the normal Christian habits of learning, listening, and loving. We remain fully anchored in Scripture, we mourn with hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14). We remember that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33), that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38–39), and that God comforts us so we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).