Benedictus

(The Song of Zechariah)

1    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,  ♦

who has come to his people and set them free.

2    He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,  ♦

born of the house of his servant David.

3    Through his holy prophets God promised of old  ♦

to save us from our enemies,

    from the hands of all that hate us,

4    To show mercy to our ancestors,  ♦

and to remember his holy covenant.

5    This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  ♦

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6    Free to worship him without fear,  ♦

holy and righteous in his sight

    all the days of our life.

7    And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,  ♦

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8    To give his people knowledge of salvation  ♦

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9    In the tender compassion of our God  ♦

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  ♦

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68–79

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

The LUKAN CANTICLES

Magnificat

(The SONG of MARY)

1    My soul doth magnify the Lord :

and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

2    For he hath regarded :

the lowliness of his handmaiden.

3    For behold, from henceforth :

all generations shall call me blessed.

4    For he that is mighty hath magnified me :

and holy is his Name.

5    And his mercy is on them that fear him :

throughout all generations.

6    He hath shewed strength with his arm :

he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

7    He hath put down the mighty from their seat :

and hath exalted the humble and meek.

8    He hath filled the hungry with good things :

and the rich he hath sent empty away.

9    He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :

as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :

and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :

world without end. Amen.

Nunc dimittis

(The SONG of SIMEON)

1    Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :

according to thy word.

2    For mine eyes have seen :

thy salvation;

3    Which thou hast prepared :

before the face of all people;

4    To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :

and to be the glory of thy people Israel

Luke 2.29-32

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :

and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :

world without end. Amen.