Actors in a play read through the entire script in order to prepare. Similarly, the Christian calendar calls followers of Jesus to read through the entire script of the Good News as a way of preparing our hearts and minds for God-with-us, Emmanuel. Jesus calls his followers to “watch” and “stay awake” amidst the distress of the nations (Luke 21.25-36) near the end of his life. Our socio-economic, political, and ecological challenges are different today, but we find ourselves unquestionably in a time on earth filled with distress and confusion among nations. In this first Sunday in Advent, we are invited to notice where hope might be emerging despite everything seemingly falling apart in our lives, our families, our communities, and the world around us.