Advent begins the Christian year in a time of increasing darkness. Our year begins not with the glittering parties of New Year’s Eve, but in a season of waiting, hoping, needing, and yearning. The story of the year begins with the short prayer, “Help!” This morning we consider words of comfort and promised redemption from Isaiah 60,1-5, 15-22, which were delivered to a people in exile, far from home and far from God. Can we regain hope that a Savior is coming who will bring redemption to our story? Can we wait in anticipation that though the world seems darker and darker, a great light will shine upon us?