Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord,… 1. We have here a type of that character in which Christ is for ever being born. To the pure, the humble, and the unselfish, the Blessedness of blessedness was given. When the angel appeared to her she was troubled at the tidings and the praise. It was the trouble of a beautiful unconsciousness. A rare excellence in man or woman this fair unconsciousness I rarer than ever now. The unconscious life of Mary — what a charm those who possessed it might exercise upon the world! 2. Look next at the Virgin's quiet acceptance of greatness. 3. Her idea of fame. 4. This large conception of womanly duty this which is the patriotism of the woman, was not absent from the Virgin's character. She rejoiced in being the means of her country's blessing (vers. 54-55). She forgot her own honour in God, she forgot herself in her country. And this is that which we want in England-women who will understand and feel what love of country means and act upon it. This is the woman's patriotism, and the first note of its mighty music — a music which might take into itself and harmonize the discord of English society — was struck more than 1800 years ago in the song of the Virgin Mary. (Stopford Brooke.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, |
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