Through Advent we are looking at Psalms, today at parts of Psalm 80.  There’s something about restoring a house or a car that is satisfying, and restoration is what this psalm is about – the people cry out for God to restore them from a time of great suffering and devastation.  Out of anger and confusion and fear, the psalm expresses a deep faith and trust in God and in God’s ability to restore.  It can speak to us now in this period of loss, worry, and grief.  It may mean that the specific type of restoration we seek is not the restoration God will deliver.  It may mean that restoration will come in the birth of a child in an unknown place, something new to save us in a way we never expected or imagined.  (NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are livestreaming the early service only, using a chamber choir but having no congregation.  NOTE: The video begins with the Children’s Moment, but after starting it you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want to see the entire service.)