Voice: Kae Chee
Today is Tuesday, 23rd of December. We are two days from Christmas. Let us gather our scattered thoughts and be still in His presence.
May Christ, the true, the only light
banish all darkness from our hearts and minds. Amen.
Today, we will take some time to look at another Advent canticle, the Benedictus. It is also called the song of Zechariah, taken from Luke 1:67-79. If you have been observing the daily Morning Office, you will know that this canticle is placed between the Old Testament and New Testament readings. We will share a few reflections later but for now, listen to this chanted version.
The Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)
1 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel: for he 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 he promised of old: that he would save us from our enemies from the hands of all that hate us.
4 He promised to show mercy to our fathers: and to remember his holy covenant.
5 This was the oath he 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 You my 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 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.
Why is this canticle sung every morning in the Church? Why is it placed after the Old Testament Reading?
As another day begins, it is fitting that we recollect and renew our trust in what God has done in history to redeem His people. This is sometimes described as salvation history—the long, faithful story of God’s saving purpose unfolding through time.
In the Benedictus we are reminded of the Davidic and Abrahamic covenants. In fact, the name Zechariah means “God remembers.” After nine months of dumb silence, Zechariah burst out joyfully out in this song.
A Saviour was promised deep in time. The Old Testament is therefore not sealed off in the past; it is brought to fulfilment in Christ, and its message continues to live and speak through Him. Some Old Testament readings can be dark, violent, or troubling, and may seem distant from the gospel. When we sing, chant, or say the Benedictus after the Old Testament reading, we are reminded that these Scriptures find their fuller meaning and resolution in Christ.
At the dawn of every new day, we stand with Zechariah and his contemporaries at the very threshold of fulfilment, reminding ourselves that we are living in this new age of salvation.
The Morning Office is the natural home of this canticle, for “the dawn from on high shall break upon us.” God’s tender compassion and life-giving light greet us as we emerge from the darkness of night—darkness which also symbolises the pain, fear, and sinful brokenness we experience in life.
We are reminded that we have been set free from our enemies that we may have the freedom to serve Him, to be able to live in peace without any fear. . Isn’t that the cry of every citizen on earth?
Zechariah also rejoiced because we will live in “in holiness and righteousness before him.” Paul echoes this same truth in Ephesians 1:4: “He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
The canticle ends with a promise of light shining upon darkness and death. Suffering and death are inescapable companions of our mortal condition, yet even here God’s light breaks in. He does not abandon us to these realities; instead, He guides our feet into the way of peace.
The Benedictus is richly woven with biblical themes and theological truth. As it is sung, chanted, or said day after day, the Holy Spirit may illuminate different phrases at different seasons of life.
As we approach another Christmas, may the light of Christ shine in us and through us. May the solid Christian proclamation of this canticle shape our worldview and shine brightly amid the chaos and darkness of our world.
Be blessed by this Advent Hymn, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Link to today’s Morning Office
About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen.
Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.
For feedback, please write to us at terrywong@anglican.org.sg
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