Today my Christmas break starts. The other passage of today is the Magnificat, which is inexplicably broken in half. However, we can correct that: the best Magnificat is Bach, which is 30 minutes, played fast. So some orthodox plain chant.

The other text for today are II Sam 7, about the promises to David, and Titus. One may ask why Titus’ text is here: the main text for today is Elizabeth asking Mary how she deserves to have the mother of our Saviour within her home.

The Catholics say that Mary is an exemplar to all women, and rightly so. But let us look at this passage, and think about what this is: for we show our submission by our actions.

Obedience and good works, or evil deeds.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

(Titus 2:11-3:8 ESV)

We are given Christ so that we can live like Stoics, or more correctly, as Stoics preached. That we are dispassionate, caring, do good, and bring praise to God. That we are not consumed by lusts (Tiberius) or greed (Cicero) or power (Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar… or the High Priests in Jerusalem).

And we are commanded to do good. We are not commanded to troll, to abuse, to set criteria for submission, and only submit to rulers or husbands or parents or employers or (now that we have had Islam reintroduce this evil institution) masters if slaves.

We are to live a Godly, sober, and upright life.

Now, for women, Mary is a good example. No, I have not lost my reformed theology: this will offend the Catholics. I consider that Mary was a righteous woman: who raised her family, wifed up her husband [1], kept her house, and was concerned above all with her children. When she had doubts if Christ was sane, and wanted him put away — she was trying to protect him.

The perfect woman, the woman who we should emulate, was a wife and mother. The woman we should emulate was not a princess but a peasant. She had little wealth. And when Christ died, she had nothing [2]. His disciples, particularly John, had to provide for her.

For her love distorted things. More, I think, than fear. Mary was a woman, with all the virtues and vulnerabilities of such.

And the prayer she said should be recited today [3].

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; *
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Notes for today: I’ve put the controversial bits here.

1. Jesus had brothers and sisters, one of whom, James, became the leader of the Jerusalem church. At the beginning of his ministry, Mary obeyed him: this suggests that tradition is correct and Joseph (who as alive when Jesus was 12 and visited the temple) had died. But it also implies that Jesus was the oldest: Mary obeyed and sought direction from him. At the cross when Jesus tells John that he is to provide for Mary it is the son doing his duty to a parent he should provide for. So, I think Mary submitted in all things. Including being a mother in the conventional sense to the children of Joseph. This makes her, in my view, even a better example to women than the knightly fantasies of catholic scholars who see her as some form of married nun.

2. Mary was a young woman when she bore Christ: probably between 14 and 18. She was at an age when she could marry — and women in those times married early. So, she is about 47 to 50 when Christ is on the cross. She clearly lived long enough to talk to Luke when the gospels were written, which (a) indicates an earlier date for the gospels — within two or three decades of the crucifixion (if she lived into her mid 70s or 80s) and (b) shows she was honoured and provided in the Jerusalem church.

3. From the Book of Common Prayer. My Papist brothers and sisters (or the Anglican reformers) have an English liturgy written by those with no poetry. at. all. If you are Roman, use the Latin: here is a crib.

Magnificat anima mea Dominum;	My soul doth magnify [“declare the greatness of”] the Lord.
Et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo, Salutari meo.	And my spirit rejoiceth; in God my Saviour.
Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generatones.	Because He hath looked down on the lowliness of His handmaid: for behold henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: et sanctum nomen ejus.	Because the Mighty One hath done great things for me: and holy is His name.
Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.	And His mercy is generation to generation: on those who fear Him.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo: dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.	He showeth might in His arm: Hi scattereth the proud in the conceit of their heart.
Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles.	He casteth down the mighty from their throne: and exalteth the lowly.
Esurientes implevit bonis: et divites dimisit inanes.	He filleth the hungry with good things: and the rich He sendeth away empty.
Suscepit Israel, puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae.	He hath received His servant Israel: being mindful of His mercy.
Sicut locutes est ad patres nostros, Abraham, et semini ejus in saecula.	And He spake to our fathers: to Abraham and his seed forever.