We began Advent last week by joining Isaiah in crying out to God for help. “Rend the heavens and come down!” we prayed (Isaiah 63:19). We saw the sin in the world as well as the sin that can hide in our hearts, and we begged God to come and rescue us. Now, as we move closer to Christmas, this Sunday’s first reading gives us a glimpse of how God will answer our prayer. Speaking again through Isaiah, God tells us three distinct things he wants to do for us this Advent: he wants to show us his mercy; he wants to reveal his glory to us; and he wants to send us out to share his good news. Let’s take a look at this passage to see how these blessings unfold.