The 'Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis' come to life in two memorable Biblical scenes: (1) Young Mary, visiting her older cousin, Elizabeth, sings of her great joy to be the mother of the Christ Child. (2) Mary and Joseph taking the infant Jesus to the temple where the wise, aging Simeon declared that God's promise to him was fulfilled. The setting can be sung as general anthems or as integral parts of Vespers or Evensongs. The flute ostinato and the introductory choral measures are motifs of 'Magnificat' by J.S. Bach.