A new liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, and the readings help us get in touch with our collective cry of lament and frustration. We're frustrated because of our repeated failures to live up to the desires for the infinite put into our hearts by God.
Beneath it is a weariness with our fickle and undependable efforts to live up to God's expectations. However, good news comes in the form of our need for a Savior to rescue us. The shortcomings, failures and sins confirm our realization that we need loving help from above.