Imagine if angel of God was sent to the city of New Bedford to any one of us with some special job to be done. Perhaps our first response might be more like Scrooge than Mary of Nazareth.

What is an angel? It must be an undigested piece of meat: Before thinking about the message we would more than likely question the reality of the messenger. Maybe we can attribute it to another time and place, another culture when people knew more about their religion.

Mary knew the promises of her religion. She knew about the many things the prophets had foretold. But this is different. This is personal. This is me that God is speaking to. This is me that God is asking some co-operation in his plan.

Mary exemplifies to all of us what we as a Christian are called to be-- a co-operator in the plan of God. Let's move to the next stage…as familiar as Mary was with the Scriptures, she still is not reluctant to question: How can this be? Perhaps we might word it a little differently: Instead of asking how we more likely would say: Why me?

But no matter how we ask the question, the answer is the same for us as for Mary: God wills it so. It's God's plan for you. But you are free to accept it or reject it.

In the second reading we have another example of Saul Paulus of Tarsus who had been determined to put an end to what he saw as this Christian cult. But in coming to know Jesus, rather, dramatically that relationship none the less continued to grow and grow despite persecution and ultimate execution. In his prison cell in Rome Paul writes of that strength that comes from knowing Christ--once given only to Jews but now available to all who will accept it.

Working backwards to the first reading we find the zeal for David to build a house for God--for the ark of the covenant--but God emphasizes that it is His desire to build a house--a lineage both physical and spiritual for David and his posterity. The familial language which God uses expresses beautifully the relationship that God offers between Himself and all who will accept Him.

Jesus is revealed in the mystery of the gospel as the one who is able to save and to strengthen you to do all things. It is that strength that enabled Mary to understand the angel's declaration: With God nothing is impossible ...God is the ultimate Promise keeper. He never makes a commitment or asks of us a commitment without the grace of fulfillment.

Yet the third, the final stage still rests with us. To answer yes or no. No doubt most of us find ourselves more like David, clinging to the illusion of total control of our lives.

For most of us letting go of our wants and desires is almost too much to ask of ourselves. But saying yes is the key to freedom--the key to relationship with God.

During this final week before the Nativity the Church uses ancient symbols and salutations to honor the arrival of Emmanuel. On December 20, the symbol is the Key of David. It is not co-incidence that is also the day of my anniversary of ordination. That is also part of the reason that I choose to wear this key ring.

In several scripture passages it refers to Jesus as the key who opens and closes that which cannot otherwise be opened or closed.

For those in Twelve-Step Recovery, it is also the symbol of the Third Step. "Made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God." or phrased another way: "Let go; let God".

Among Twelve-Stepers, the first three steps are often summarized: 1) "I can't." 2) "God can." And 3) "So, I let Him."

Twelve-Step Spirituality is non-denominational and not directly scriptural but the wisdom of God is at its root.

In 54 years of life and 27 years of priesthood, l have had to make the decision of the third step not once, but everyday of my life, often several times a day. And sometimes unlike Mary, and more like David I have chosen my own will and destiny. I have chosen to do what I want to do for God rather than what God asks me to do for Him; and ultimately I find myself back at Step One: "I can't do this."

That's where humility begins--Since Mary never had to go around the merry go round--she was able to grow in humility far quicker than we are.