As we start the season of Advent, we move into a time of great anticipation, longing and waiting….and waiting…and waiting.  In fact, before the birth of Jesus many in Israel were waiting desperately for their entire lives to see God send His promised Messiah and to see that Messiah bring about all that God had promised.  Generation after generation, desperately longing and waiting for God.  Those that stayed close with God celebrated when they simply saw the baby Messiah. Today, we can relate to Israel’s desperate waiting and longing for things to change, for something new to come, for a breakthrough.