Benedictus/Song of Zechariah
From Luke 1:67-79
Few canticles in the Bible are set to music as frequently or as well as the song of Zechariah. Of course the Magnificat is the one we usually associate with the Advent season, but there was another family receiving some pretty shocking news as well! Elizabeth and Zechariah, past prime childbearing years by a lot, will bear a son to be named John. Poor Zeke was also silenced until Elizabeth gave birth and he was asked what the child’s name should be. He said:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his 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 on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Now at the beginning of this spiel, I mentioned that this canticle has been set so many times, it’s almost impossible to count. However, unlike the Magnificat and the Song of Simeon, the Benedictus above is usually set in parts, rather than in its entirety. Almost every verse has been set to music individually, because each is so poetic and powerful. My favorite setting of this is James MacMillan’s “O Radiant Dawn.” Drawing from the end of the canticle, it is a perfect welcome to Advent, describing the breaking of a new dawn shining on those who dwell in darkness. As you reflect on these words, may you find strength in the knowledge that the Lord is coming. Joy to the world, the Lord IS come!
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