Advent Canticles

The song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79), also known as the Benedictus Dominus Deus, is the canticle of Advent. It may be used as a call to worship, as an act of praise, or as a response between Scripture readings. Another appropriate canticle for the season of Advent is the Song of Mary (the Magnificat) from Luke 1:46-55. 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…