A familiar person that is a part of the Christmas Story, and featured in Advent, is John the Baptist. Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of Christmas, so who better to represent waiting and preparation than the one who prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus. John’s ministry was on the margin, between the wilderness and ‘civilization.’  His message was one of asking people to reflect on what wasn’t working in their communities, and thinking about how God’s way of clarity, compassion, acceptance and the will to change could bring resolution and peace. Ask yourself, What aspect of my life or my relationships could use healing through clarity, compassion, acceptance and the will to change? Where could I start building bridges?