The way we dress tells the world a lot about us and how we want to be perceived. Certain people wear uniforms for example to indicate their profession. Others wear certain ethnic clothing to express their nationality. Sometimes people dress in period clothing to reenact history; and just about everyone has their own personal style and quirks which tell the world who we are.
            As I read through today’s gospel which tells us about John the Baptist, the greatest and most important messenger of all time, I was struct by the fact that in describing him, Matthew makes specific mention of what he was wearing when he emerged from the desert. He says he wore clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. Now if that wasn’t unusual apparel for his time, Matthew would never have mentioned it in his gospel. But clearly, John was trying to communicate a message here.
            We get a pretty clear picture of a man who was certainly eccentric if not a little weird. Not only did he dress differently, but he spent all this time in the desert, he ate locust and wild honey (again an unusual diet). Most importantly I think all of these characteristic attracted attention to him, which of course was the purpose.
            John the Baptist drew people to himself so that they would listen to message. He arrived to prepare the people for the imminent coming of Jesus. He called them to repentance and baptized them in the Jordan River so that their eyes would be opened to the savior in their midst.
            And of course for this reason John becomes a central figure of this Advent Season. For we too are preparing; we too are anticipating; we too are awaiting the imminent coming of the savior into our midst….not just at Christmas but everyday until the end of time when Christ will come again in glory.
            So let us stay alert as well and be ready to welcome Christ when He comes into our lives.