Like Mary, surrender to the Lord. We might all be aware that God’s plan for us and humanity is wonderful and rewarding when we embrace it. However it is not always easy to follow because it often contradicts our personal and family interests and plans. That is the case of David in the first reading, who wanted to build God's house and the Virgin Mary in the Gospel, who although she was already betrothed to Joseph for marriage. To welcome Jesus in our lives demands of us, letting go sometimes even the best plans of our lives. Henceforth, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Blessed Virgin Mary is given to us as a Christian model of hearing, listening and doing the word of God. “Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum Tuum” “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” This is total surrender. Mary teaches how to respond to God’s coming and invitation with obedience – love and generosity. For us to be able to welcome Jesus at Christmas and in our daily lives we must discern God’s will in our lives and this imply letting go of our own aspirations and our personal plans. This might be difficult and sometimes painful, but it always brings happiness and peace, joy and eternal reward because we can say to ourselves I am doing exactly what Jesus himself is coming to teach us: “Not my will but your will be done” (Luke 22:42). Let us pray every day: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10). Like Mary, always surrender to the Lord. Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC