In “In the Time of Herod, We Long for God to Break In,” Dr. Forrest Buckner explores the deep sense of longing that marks both personal and societal life. He begins by noting how even a joyful season like Thanksgiving carries undercurrents of desire and dissatisfaction. Drawing from Luke 1, he highlights the personal longing of Zechariah and Elizabeth—faithful people who lived with the pain and stigma of being childless. Dr. Buckner then widens the lens to the collective longing of Israel under the oppressive and fear-filled rule of Herod, when many felt God was silent. Into this context of yearning, the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah with the reassuring words “Do not be afraid,” announcing the miraculous birth of John, who will turn people’s hearts back to God and prepare the way for the Lord. Dr. Buckner concludes by sharing his own story of longing and emphasizes that God remains near, faithful, and ready to meet us in our deepest desires—even in unexpected ways—as Emmanuel, “God with us.”