What does "worship" mean to Protestants?

[JMJ_coder]

OK, but I still don’t think that the child’s subservience to his parent is the same as consecrating yourself to a god or saint. As I said in another thread, worship is sacrifice, but that includes sacrifice of the self. Protestants worship Christ chiefly by dedicating their lives to him (“surrender your life to Jesus”). Singing songs is part of that, but it is not the essence (else you’d be worshiping your favorite rock band next time you go to their concert).

Are you familiar at all with the idea in olden times (and still somewhat and in varied forms today) of placing yourself under a patron or protector? In most arts until a century or two ago almost every artist had to find a commission from a wealthy person (“ars gratia artis” is a modern invention). But, that wealthy person would likewise protect the artist from all sorts of dangers and provide a sort of social ladder.

In like ways, in feudal times a peasant would place themselves under the protection of a noble and dedicate themselves to their service, even giving tributes and services to the noble. In return, the noble would protect the peasants under their care from dangers and evils and advance them onwards. And oftentimes there was a hierarchy of nobles. One may be pledged to the Baron, who is pledged to the Earl, who is pledged to the Duke, who is pledged to the King.

In like manner, when we consecrate and dedicate ourselves to Mary, we place ourselves under her care. She in her goodness protect us as a Queen and advances us towards Jesus (since all true Marian devotion is always at its heart Christocentric).

Also, Jesus gave humanity Mary as our Mother when He was dying on the Cross. We, as her children, pledge our love and devotion to her and she protects us as a Mother.