Advent 1: A Different Restoration

True restoration is about right relationship. Rather than a return to the status quo, true restoration disrupts the status quo.

Artwork: “Long Walk to the Fire” by Carsten Ten Brink

“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved,” goes the refrain from Psalm 80.

Be careful what you wish for or so the axiom goes. I guess that means we should be even more careful what we pray for. Our passage from Isaiah starts with a petition from a people in exile asking God to “tea…