The Benedictus
Luke 1:68-79

Blessed are you, Lord the God of Israel*
You have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour*
born of the house of your servant David.

Through your holy prophets
You promised of old to save us from our enemies*
from the hands of all that hate us,
To show mercy to our forebears,*
and to remember your holy covenant.

This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham:*
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship you without fear:*
holy and righteous before you
all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of
the Most High : *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
To give God's people knowledge of salvation:*
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God:*
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine upon those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death:*
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son:*
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now:*
and shall be forever. Amen.


B a c k Readings