Congratulation of the angel Gabriel--advantages of the Christian dispensation--Eve and Mary compared--state of Mary's family at the incarnation--she receives an angelic visit--his promise to her of a son, and prediction of his future greatness--Mary goes to Elizabeth, their meeting--Mary's holy enthusiasm and remarkable language--Joseph informed of the miraculous conception by an angel--general remarks
Nothing happens by chance--dispensations preparatory to the coming of Christ--prophecy of Micah accomplished by means of the decree of Augustus--Mary supernaturally strengthened to attend upon her new-born infant--visit of the shepherds Mary's reflections--circumcision of the child--taken to the temple--Simeon's rapture and prediction--visit and offerings of the Arabian philosophers--general considerations
The flight into Egypt--Herod's cruel proceedings and death--Mary goes to Jerusalem with Joseph--on their return their Child is missing--they find him among the doctors--he returns with them, the feast of Cana--Christ's treatment of his mother when she desired to speak to him--her behaviour at the crucifixion--she is committed to the care of John--valuable lessons to be derived from this touching scene
Brief account of the extravagant regard which has been paid to the Virgin Mary at different periods--the names by which she has been addressed, and the festivals instituted to honour her memory--general remarks on the nature and character of superstition, particularly that of the Catholics
The angelic appearance to Zacharias--birth of John characters of Elizabeth and Zacharias--importance of domestic union being founded on religion, shown in them--their venerable age--the characteristic features of their piety--the happiness of a life like theirs--the effect it is calculated to produce on others--the perpetuation of holy friendship through immortal ages--the miserable condition of the irreligious