This service was originally delivered by Rev. Galen Guengrich of All Souls NYC just before Christmas and Hanukkah 2022, “the time of the year when days are short and darkness prevails turns out to be a good time to bear witness to times that are difficult in other ways.” Rev. Guengrich looks back at the invasion of Hebrew lands by Mesopotamian King Nebuchadnezzar, the Jewish people’s exile, and those left behind. The feelings of abandonment and being forsaken. Moving forward to current times, to similar experiences of people in other countries, the ability of mankind to continue to hope and against hope, the lingering question remains, ‘is anyone listening.’