As we light our second candle in our Advent wreath, we hear hopeful words in the Word of the Lord. “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever”;” we are filled with joy”. I pray always with joy”. In the Gospel, we hear hopeful admonition from John the Baptist: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’”