Bouguereau, Song of the Angels
Mary was put through quite a bit. The apparition of an angel who tells her that she is to be mother of the Messiah.
Her elderly cousin Elizabeth becomes pregnant, and her declaration that the babe of Mary’s womb is the Messiah.
Elizabeth’s husband, a priest, struck mute by an angel in the Temple.
The virgin birth, and Joseph wanting to divorce her quietly, until he had his apparition.
The great Theophany when Heaven opened and the angels sang.
The visits from the shepherds, sent by angels.
The visit from the Magi.
The declaration by Simeon in the Temple.
The murderous rage of Herod.
The flight into Egypt.
The Gospels tell us that Mary pondered all of these things in her heart…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFPHIK9ann8&playnext=1&list=PLE857E6241F18BC2A&index=8
