It can be jarring to have this John appear in the midst of our holiday preparations. But that's just the point! He is a messenger whose word is needed still - a cry in the wilderness of our tendency toward overindulgence and misguided values. A call to us to repent, simplify, remember the tried and true reason for the season - to prepare in our hearts and work with our hands for the building of God's true vision of Shalom for all people. That's what the Holy day is all about!