The Song of Zechariah:
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 who 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 on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death: and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
