Brethren, this then is the Child in whom the Deity and humanity met and kissed and were reconciled. Looking forward— on His feeble heart-beat hangs the salvation of a world; looking backward — He is the fulfilment of four thousand years of figure and of prophecy. However vague and worldly their ideas of the future Messias, and the kingdom He was to found, the Israelites and Jews never lost faith and hope in His ultimate arrival. This expectancy influenced largely woman's life. Celibacy was practically unknown; fruitfulness was woman's choicest blessing and barrenness her direst curse, for every mother of Israel fondly hoped to discover some day the divine nature of the Messias beaming on her through the bright eyes and loving smile of her little one. To one alone — Mary— came a light from God to know the higher value of virginity. She alone of all, by vow of chastity, forfeited, humanly speaking, her claim to be the mother of the coming Saviour; and, wondrous providence of God! she alone of all was chosen for that honor.
Mary was the daughter of Joachim and Anna of Nazareth, humble folk enough it is true, and yet descendants of a priestly and a royal line. They had but two children, Mary, the humble virgin, and her younger sister, Salome, of a more ambitious and worldly turn of mind. Their relatives were few, comprising Cleophas and Joseph, bachelor brothers of Joachim, living in Nazareth, and cousin Elizabeth, Zachary's wife, in the hill country of Judea. Mary being heiress to all her folks possessed, she was
