John the Baptist knew that in preparation for the coming of Christ, he must light a candle. When the priests and the Levites questioned him as to his identity, he replied that he was the lone voice in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. John was fully prepared to offer a lighted path to the one who would be our true Light, but he was also reminding those around him that they, too, must prepare themselves to receive the light of Christ.

     The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that John the Baptist completed the cycle of prophets begun with Elijah. But he also began what is described as the restoration of mankind to "the divine likeness," a full understanding of what we would achieve with and in Christ (CCC 720). This Advent season, let us prepare as John did; light a path for the coming of Christ, open our hearts to welcome Him in to our lives.