Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-12-18
CHRISTIAN ENDEAyoR.
sa ~ Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning Dec. q, 1907.

Te,sc-The Magnificat: a Christmas
0ong--Luxe !. 4s-55.
'sThe Magnificent" is the general
Nturgieal title Of the hymn of Mary
composed in her joy at the thought OF
Becoming the mother of the Messiah
of Israel and tie Saviour of the world.
This name was given IT, the song be-
cause It is the first word in the Latin
rendering "Magnificat amina min Dom
mum" (,ny sol. doth magnify the
Iordl The Maglitieat was composed
In very early times. II was intro
duced into the western churches by
Caesarius Of Aries. ard at the time Of
Gregory the Great it was sung ever.
day in Rome at vespers. II has been
translated into many languages End
has been retained by Protestant
Christmas songs and breathes a
Christmas spirit that may well be an
Inspiration to all Christians at this sea
son of The year. Song has ever been
associated with the birth of Christ.
When He was born ir Bethlehem OF
Judaea heavenly host sang. GLORY 10
God In the Highest" and with every
recurrence of the anniversary Of His
birth earthly hosts, and perhaps also
heavenly ones-who knowss-ce!ebrate
the event in song.
But the Magniticat as spoken by
Mary vas not simply song. but an
expression OF her feelings in CON
temr.a i'm of the birth OF Christ. And
while SIC was distinguished above al
Others in connection with His birth
and ssr emotions Correspondence
strong re. from her expression of those
emotiC.s we may learn some Of the
characteristics of the true Christmas
spirit
l. In the song of Mary we hare the
Lord exalted My soul doth magnify
the Lord" In the highest part Of her
being. the soul. she magnitied and e.
allied her God at the thought Of Christ's
birth. She called upon her soul and
al that was within her to praise and
magnify her God. The exaltation Of
God in our souls should be a never
failing part Of the celebration of the
birth Of Christ. 1t was the first actual
step in the gift Of Gods Son to the
world. the one act for which. above
Ill others, our souls should praise and
magnify the Lord. and the emphasis
should be placed upon souls. 1t should
be spiritual praise and glorifcation
and not simply the expression Of good
viii to our friends and loved ones or
mere words Of praise to God
2. In Mays song Joy is manifested
at the thought Of Christ's birth. More
over. 1t was spiritual joy. MY spirit
hath rejoiced in God. my Saviour" Joy
= an essential element In the thought
Of Christ's birth. He came to bring
JOY out Of sorrow and Joy to the whole
world. Joy to the world. the Lord
= come" But here, too, the spiritual
side should be emphasized. Christ
mas brings much joy The hearts Of the
poor are made glad. The sick and the
aMicted in their homes. in hospitals
and Christian institutions are most
kindly remembered. The givers have
greater joy than the receivers. and
consequently joy abounds. But, while
these features of the Christmas season
should not be abandoned. yet we
should earnestly seek the highest joy
at the Christmas seasOn-the joy Of
our souls in His coming and His album
0ant provision through His life and
death for all our spiritual wants in tie
life that now Is and that which is to
come.
3. In Mary's song we see self hu-
initiation. Mary magnifes the Lord.
but acknowledges her own humility
The strain Of personal humiliation
runs all through Mary's song. And
= there not suggestion here for Us?
A. We Contemplate an Gods blessings.
and especially His greatest one-the
gift Of His Eon-and 1t the same time
remember our own unworthiness.
ahsuld not our hearts be flied With
humility, and such q HUMILITY e VA.
enable % the moro sincerely to ascribe
al the praise and glory and honor to
our God?
1IWI READINGS.
Gen. II, 10: lisa. II, Q, Z; Il 10;
06htt u. liz; Luke Il, $40; ". l-24;
yohn III. 10; Cor. vi. 10. 70; XIII, II:
Heb. Z. =.
! Essentially praeeieai.
The Christian Endeavor society is es-
eent1ally practical. It puts theories
10 ths actual test That b one Of the
fhings IKE about It. It Is powerful.