John the Baptist is one of the quintessential Advent figures. He epitomizes active waiting–confident yet humble service in trusting patience. That’s really what Advent is all about.

I love John’s example of staying on mission. His particular mission–he was the last Old Testament prophet, the only one for hundreds of years–brought him lot of attention, but he stayed focused on who he was and who he knew was coming after him. He didn’t lose focus or perspective. He didn’t let his ego inflate. I imagine he very much kept grounded in prayer and kept the eyes of his heart on the Lord.

He sets an example and invitation for all of us. John’s Gospel tells us in the prologue that through the testimony of John the Baptist, we all have come to believe. That’s no small thing.

John’s message is the first part of the Gospel message: the bad news, the fact that we are sinners in need of repentance and a Savior. But he doesn’t leave us without hope: that savior we need so desperately is on His way. It’s a message of hope, a call to active waiting such as John himself lived. Let us hear him.