1:46. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord.
1:47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
1:48. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Shall call me blessed... These words are a prediction of that honour which the church in all ages should pay to the Blessed Virgin. Let Protestants examine whether they are any way concerned in this prophecy.
1:49. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name.
1:50. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.
1:51. He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
1:52. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble.
1:53. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.
1:54. He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy.
1:55. As he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
1:56. And Mary abode with her about three months. And she returned to her own house.
1:57. Now Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come: and she brought forth a son.
1:58. And her neighbors and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shewed his great mercy towards her: and they congratulated with her.
1:59. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they called him by his father's name Zachary.
1:60. And his mother answering, said: Not so. But he shall be called John.
1:61. And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
1:62. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
1:63. And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name.
And they all wondered.
1:64. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed: and he spoke, blessing God.
1:65. And fear came upon all their neighbours: and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea.
1:66. And all they that had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: What an one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.
1:67. And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost. And he prophesied, saying:
1:68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people.
1:69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant.
Horn of salvation... That is, A powerful salvation, as Dr. Witham translates it. For in the Scripture, by horn is generally understood strength and power.
1:70. As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning.
1:71. Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us.
1:72. To perform mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy testament.
1:73. The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us.
1:74. That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear:
1:75. In holiness and justice before him, all our days.
1:76. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt, go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways:
1:77. To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins.
1:78. Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us:
The Orient... It is one of the titles of the Messias, the true light of the world, and the sun of justice.
1:79. To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace.
1:80. And the child grew and was strengthened in spirit: and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Luke Chapter 2
The birth of Christ. His presentation in the temple. Simeon's prophecy.
Christ at twelve years of age, is found amongst the doctors.
2:1. And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
2:2. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.
2:3. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.
2:4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David.
2:5. To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
2:6. And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
2:7. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.
Her firstborn... The meaning is, not that she had afterward any other child; but it is a way of speech among the Hebrews, to call them also the firstborn, who are the only children. See annotation Matt. 1. 25.
2:8. And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock.