The season of Advent is strange to those who do not know about it because it begins in the darkness and invites us to peer into the darkness as people who have hope. But what is our hope based on and why would we want to look at all that is wrong with our lives and this world? Listen to Father Maney lay out the basis of our hope and the reason for Advent, and then resolve to claim the promise in penitence and faith. Lectionary texts for today are Isaiah 35.1-10; Luke 1.46-55 (Magnificat); James 5.7-10; Matthew 11.2-11.