The Coolidge examiner., 1936-01-03

magnify the Lord, and my spirit
hath rejoiced in God my SAVIOR
Luke 1:46, At.
PRIMARY TOPIC - Why Mary
Sang.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Why Mary Sang.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-What Our Mothers Have
Done for Us.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-A Mothers Vision and In
fuence.
Mary was a Jewish maid of the
town of Nazareth. The first infor-
nation we have of her is that she
was engaged to be married to JOS
eph, a carpenter of the same village.
1t seems that the custom among the
Jews was for betrothal to take
place year before marriage.
|. The Occasion of (Luke 1:26,
%.
l. Gabriers announcement wv.
26-3O. During this interval of
betrothal, God sent the angel Gabriel
to announce to Mary that she was
to be the mother of Jesus. Isaiah,
more than 700 years before, proph-
esied that virgin would give birth
to son, whose name should be
called Emmanuel, "God with us"
lisa. 7:14. Though at first per-
picked, she accepted the annuncia-
tiOn with remarkable courage and
devotion. To be told that she was
to be a mother was nothing star
tling, for this was the normal de-
sire of every married Jewish wom-
an. Under the circumstances, she
accepted motherhood at tremen-
dOus cost. She was conscious of
her virgin purity. She knew that
to become a mother under such cir
cumstances would expose her to sus-
picion and shame (John SAD.
- .. Mary's response ". 3S). Her
faith was such that she responded
with remarkable courage. She said.
Behold the handmade of the Lord
be it unto me according to thy
word" She accepted motherhood
under these circumstances as Gods
command. 1t was made clear to her
that the Most High would embody
himself with humanity divinely be-
gotten and that the resultant thing
born would be holy and called the
Son of God.
3. She visits Elizabeth (vv. 39-45).
In her embarrassment she set out.
on visit to an elderly kinswoman
called Elisabeth. Having sought the
sympathy and encouragement of her
friend, her triumphant faith carried
her beyond the misunderstanding.
the ScOrn and shame which awaited
her, and caused her soul to burst
out in the most wonderful song of
praise. This is called the "Magniti-
cat" because of the first word in
the Latin version. MY soul doth
magnify the Lord" AS pointed out
by another. three features of her
character stand out in this song.
a. Her purity of heart. Only a
pure heart rejoices when God has
come near.
b. Her humility. She forgot her
self and gave her heart to Gods
praises.
C. Her unselfshness. She did not
primarily think of the undying hon
or which through the ages should
be attached to her, but the blessed
ness which would come on future
generations through her.
II. The Content of her Song wv.
1868.
l. For salvation wv. 4649). 1t
was salvation for herself and 9th
ers. There is no suggestion what
ever in this song that she thought
% herself as the mother of God.
She praised God for the high dis
tinctiOn of being the channel
through which the eternal Son of
God was to make contact with the
race and save it. This high diStinc-
ton wrought humility in her soul.
She knew that God was cOnsummat-
ing his redemptive purpose through
her.
.. For the divine character wv.
40, 50). She praised God that he
had almighty power, that he was
holy and abundant in
mercy.
8. For what the Savior shall ac-
complish wv. 81, 52).
a. He was to scatter the rebel
lious, the unbelieving, and the proud.
Though he is exceedingly merciful
and patient, the time is, coming
when all who reject him shall be
scattered.
b. He was to exalt the lowly.
How wonderfully this has been ac-
through the centuries.
Those who turn from sin and eXer-
else faith in Jesus Christ are lifted
up to places of honorable recogni-
ton.
C. He filed the hungry. 1t is
through Jesus Christ that good is
gained for the hungry. Indeed, all
blessings come through him.
d. He sent the rich away empty.
By the rich no doubt is meant those
who have arrOgated to themselves
Importance because of the posses
sions which he gave them.
4. For Gods faithfulneSS (vv. 53-