Home for Christmas. The Hebrews were going to get to go home. And they did. It is an historical fact. You can look it up.
Advent is the season of the exile.
It is the season of the poor wayfaring stranger wandering through this world of woe. Isaiah s prophecy is addressed to those of us who are exiles. We will be home for Christmas. Isaiah speaks to the part of us which is imprisoned and trying to understand what landed us there. I read this prophecy on the patio last Wednesday to the homeless people gathered there for the eucharist.