
Mary is pictured with the inscription of her words, "My soul doth magnify
the Lord" (Luke 1:46). This is Mary's response to Elizabeth and the opening
line of the Magnificat, a hymn Mary spoke in praise of the Lord. It has
become part of church liturgy. These words are woven around the symbol of a
lily, or fleur-de-lis, the three stylized prongs of which were an early
emblem of the Trinity. The flowers in her hand are Madonna Lily
traditionally depicted in representations of the annunciation as a symbol
of the purity of the Virgin.
John the Baptist appears, according to the description of him in the first
chapter of Mark's Gospel, "Clothed with camel's hair and a leather girdle
around his waist." Mark also tells us that the food of John the Baptist
in the desert was wild honey and locusts, and so our artist has engraved a
small insect above his head. Around this diagram are John's words spoken
in John 1:36 "Behold the Lamb of God." A small lamb is nestled in his right
hand, and in his left he bears a blood red cross, both symbols of our Lord's
sacrificial death.
One incident connected with the birth of our Lord is recorded in the
quatrefoil at the top of the window. This is the angelic annunciation
to the shepherds of Jesus' birth. (Luke 2:8-14) "And there were in the
same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
The inscription at the bottom of the window reads: "Presented by Mr. and
Mrs. Paul Province and Nell Holland Province."