In Advent we contemplate the mystery of the Annunciation which marks a new beginning in the history of the world, the "fullness of time" in which "God sent His Son, born of a woman" (Gal 4:4). It is through this gate of Mary's "yes" at the Annunciation that God entered the world as redeemer and victor over sin and death. But if we look at the signs of the times, we see a world in moral decline, a world without God, where evil seems to have the upper hand. Did Our Lady live in different times, was her world any better than ours?
Pope Benedict notes that the root of all evil lies "in the human heart, a wounded, sick heart that is incapable of healing itself. Sacred Scripture reveals to us that the origin of all evil is disobedience to God's will and that death has the upper hand because human freedom has yielded to the temptation of the Evil One" (Pope Benedict XVI, Dec 8, 2010). The victory over evil has been won by Christ, but it remains for each of us to tap into its healing power: to open our hearts for the transforming power of grace in the word and will of God.

Mary is for us a model of receiving the word of God in faith, and of allowing it to transform her heart and guide her life in the way of God's will. As St. Augustine says, Mary first received the Word of God through faith before receiving Him in her body. And Jesus affirms, "Blessed rather are they that hear the word of God and keep it" (Luke 11:28).

It is not human solutions or promises which will guide us through these times, but God's holy word. "As we contemplate in the Mother of God a life totally shaped by the word, we realize that we too are called to enter into the mystery of faith, whereby Christ comes to dwell in our lives. Every Christian believer, St Ambrose reminds us, in some way interiorly conceives and gives birth to the word of God" (Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini, 28).

Just as at the Annunciation it was the Archangel Gabriel who brought the word of God to Mary as she knelt in silent contemplation of Scripture, so do the angels also help us to accept the word of God into our hearts with faith and obedience. Mary is the model of the divinely willed cooperation between man and angel. God calls us through the angel, and through the angel He touches our hearts and helps us to give our own "yes", to respond with faith and burning love, a love that bears fruit in deeds. So let us use this time of Advent and Christmas as a time of silence and expectation, of listening and prayer, of deepening our knowledge of Scripture and "preparing the way of the Lord, making straight His paths" (Is 40:3). Let us call upon St. Gabriel and our own Guardian Angel to "hear with us" the word of God, and ask the angel to let it penetrate our minds and hearts.

Throughout the centuries the praying of the Angelus morning, noon and evening has been a constant tradition of the Church. It reminds us of this central event of the Gospel, the Annunciation, and presents before our eyes the image of Mary as the model of man's response to God. It reminds us to call upon and work with the holy angels throughout the day, that they may clarify God's word for us and inspire us with His grace. We encourage you therefore to take up this Catholic tradition with enthusiasm and fidelity (even order more cards to hand on to your friends and relatives), that this prayer may become a silent "leaven" contributing to the transformation of the world around us, beginning with our own hearts.

We wish you all the graces and blessings of Christmas. May the holy angels lead you to the humble manger where we will find Mary and Joseph adoring the divine CHILD. I send you my priestly blessing.