God’s Favor on Mary

The first two chapters of Luke include four songs or poems. Each of these announcements are spoken by a different person. Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a joyful statement proclaims what’s come to be known as The Magnificat (“my soul magnifies the Lord”). Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, who is mentioned in the second half of Luke chapter 1, is the mute priest whose tongue is loosed to speak The Benedictus (“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel”). The angels in Luke Chapter 2 lit up the night sky outside Bethlehem and proclaimed The Gloria to some very frightened shepherds (“Glory to God in the highest”). And, finally, old, devout Simeon, waiting patiently for the Lord, takes the Christ child in his arms and speaks the words of the Nunc Dimittis (“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace”). 

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