In the second week of Advent, the person of John the Baptized is introduced.  It so fascinating to see the style of life that John the Baptist had. It is the same style of life that the Lord wants for His faithful.  They are now to be the new John the Baptists. 
     It is interesting the readings tell of his dressing attire and even what he ate locust.  Some people get stuck with this information and find John to be some type of wild, desert nomad who dressed funny and ate weird food.  But the person of John the Baptist can teach much more than what he had for a diet or what he wore. 
     John the Baptist teaches how a person can live their Advent  season.  John the Baptist has good qualities that the faithful can embrace and thus become the new John the Baptist:
1) Live Simply.  It is important to know the Advent season is not a shopping season.  Many people are so worried about appearances they fail to prepare themselves with prayer for the coming of the Lord but prefer to be in a shopping mall.  There is so much focus on shopping ang giving gifts, but John the Baptist shows how to dress modestly and live simply.  Just because he dressed simply, it doesn’t mean he was haggard.  
2) Be the voice in the desert.  So much noise the world is offering, it is deafening.  There are so many voices, but only one authentic, the one that leads to God. Be the voice for those who have no voice.  Be an advocate. Work for justice.  God gave a voice to be used not to offend, but to promote what is right and just for others to live in a better world.
3) Comfort the people. These words are not found in the Gospel but in the first reading. John’s message was comforting to hear. It was also challenging to hear.  He comforted the people by saying, “One greater will come and baptize with the Holy Spirit.”  So many people living in discomfort, so many with uncomfortableness.  So many people need just some comforting words for Christmas.  A phone call of reassurance, or just to say how are you doing?  Be a source of comfort to others, speak like John of the action of the Holy Spirit who brings love. 
4) Open the roads to dialogue.  John teaches us how to do that as well.  He calls to make straight the paths.  Correct the wrongs during this Advent season. Make relationships work again.  Widen the channels of communication. Make broad the valleys of love and diminish the crooked ways of hatred. John the Baptist proclaims repentance for the forgiveness of sins, he proclaims reconciliation among people.  John the Baptist understood that forgiveness is important to be forgiven as the prayer of the Our Father says. 
5) Be a herald of Good news! There is reason for the season to be joyful: Jesus Christ. There is a sense of joyful expectation. There is Good News happening, the Savior is Coming.  
6) Know your place and await the return of the Mighty Lord. Do not allow pride to keep you away from your family members this Advent. Time goes by quickly and all eventually dissolves into dust, so let go of the resentments and of pride. If necessary, stoop down to be the servant.  Surrender to the Lord and know you are just a human; He is mightier than you and wants all to have the spirit of    humility.  
     All of these are life lessons John the Baptist taught by the way he lived his life, and those lessons can be heeded by all who believe and await the kindness of the Lord during this Advent season. In fact, these lessons of John the Baptism go beyond Advent, they are lifelong lessons that, if applied in this life, will assure salvation to those who fear God.