Many people pursue all kinds of ways to prove themselves to others, whether to earn affirmation or to atone for wrongdoing. The bottom line is that, as humans, we are conscious of our limitations and failures and we want to become better people than we are. John the Baptist called people in his time and calls us now towards admitting our mistakes, turning our backs on them, and trusting Jesus both for forgiveness and transformation. As we respond to John and Jesus, we can find great life as we wait expectantly to celebrate His birth and anticipate His soon return.