poured such praise on His servant. We may, if we will. And then it will
not hurt us though our names on earth be dark and our memories perish
from among men.

'Of so much fame in heaven expect the meed.'




THE MAGNIFICAT

'And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47. And
my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48. For He
hath regarded the low estate of His hand-maiden: for,
behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed. 49. For He that is mighty hath done to me
great things; and holy is His name, 50. And His mercy
is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
51. He hath shewed strength with His arm: He hath
scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and
exalted them of low degree. 53. He hath filled the
hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent
empty away. 54. He hath holpen His servant Israel, in
remembrance of His mercy; 55. As He spake to our
fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.'
--LUKE i. 46-55.

Birds sing at dawn and sunrise. It was fitting that the last strains
of Old Testament psalmody should prelude the birth of Jesus. To