Preparing the way for God's reign in the world involves change; moving on from old ways and living a different life.
You can read something about the birth of John the Baptist in Luke 1.5-25; 39-45; 57-80.
John the Baptist was brave enough to speak out against wrong and to say clearly how he believed God wants us to live, making the world a fairer place especially for the poor and those with few rights. See Luke 3.1-19. He worked alongside Jesus, see Luke 7.18-35, but some were against what was being said. (Notice especially verses 29-30.) In the end John was killed because he was such a threat to those in power - See Matthew 14.1-12.
(You could use The Bible Gateway to look up the references.)
Over the years, since John the Baptist lived, life has stayed unfair for many people. John's message, however, is that change can be made - but we have to be prepared to do things differently.
Change means being different. For change to be good it has to be based on principles and actions which, for example, will bring benefits to people who have suffered injustice, hardship or suffering.
You might research the lives of some of the people mentioned in other sections who have been prepared to be like John the Baptist and bravely speak out for the poor, the weak and the oppressed. (For example Oscar Romero, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu or Aung San Suu Kyi.) You might have your own hero who has done this. Do you know someone who is not famous but who has worked for the same aims - standing up for the weak, the bullied, and others who need help?
Each year there is news of changes in countries which involves people's lives being turned upside down. This can involve years of suffering but their hope is that life will be better for others who live after them. One example in 1999 was in East Timor. You might also look at Indonesia and East Timor from The Guardian News Unlimited site.
Another example worth exploring would be to look at the long search for peace in Northern Ireland. Newspapers, radio and television companies have their own websites and are worth looking at, but try to look at more than one so that you get different opinions. For example you could look at:
BBC News
ITN
The Independent
Regional or local newspapers can also be useful sources of information, for example: The Belfast Telegraph and The Irish Times.
Preparing ourselves for change can also be an interesting as well as healthy experience at Advent. For example, have a look at:
Preparing a new way