What is that we seek this Advent?  Not a lot of words or rhetoric or analysis about what this season means.  Like the prophets of old, don’t we seek the assurance that God is with us.  That no matter what our life journey may be, no matter what pain and suffering might come our way that God is with us, that God’s presence will bring us peace, will grant us shalom.  Don’t we seek the courage to face the future with the knowledge that there is more to life that what we see – that the riches in life lie in our relationships with one another and with God.  Don’t we seek the freedom to live in love and joy and peace even in the midst of our darkest hours?