1

Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
     and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.

2

Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
     and forget not all his benefits.

3

He forgives all your sins *
     and heals all your infirmities;

4

He redeems your life from the grave *
     and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;

5

He satisfies you with good things, *
     and your youth is renewed like an eagle's.

6

The LORD executes righteousness *
     and judgment for all who are oppressed.

7

He made his ways known to Moses *
     and his works to the children of Israel.

8

The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
     slow to anger and of great kindness.

9

He will not always accuse us, *
     nor will he keep his anger for ever.

10

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
     nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.

11

For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
     so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.

12

As far as the east is from the west, *
     so far has he removed our sins from us.

13

As a father cares for his children, *
     so does the LORD care for those who fear him.

14

For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
     he remembers that we are but dust.

15

Our days are like the grass; *
     we flourish like a flower of the field;

16

When the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
     and its place shall know it no more.

17

But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever on those
                                who fear him, *
     and his righteousness on children's children;

18

On those who keep his covenant *
     and remember his commandments and do them.

19

The LORD has set his throne in heaven, *
     and his kingship has dominion over all.

20

Bless the LORD, you angels of his,
you mighty ones who do his bidding, *
     and hearken to the voice of his word.

21

Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, *
     you ministers of his who do his will.

22

Bless the LORD, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion; *
     bless the LORD, O my soul.

Ecclesiasticus 48:1-11

Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire,
   and his word burned like a torch.
He brought a famine upon them,
   and by his zeal he made them few in number.
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens,
   and also three times brought down fire.
How glorious you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
   Whose glory is equal to yours?
You raised a corpse from death
   and from Hades, by the word of the Most High.
You sent kings down to destruction,
   and famous men, from their sickbeds.
You heard rebuke at Sinai
   and judgements of vengeance at Horeb.
You anointed kings to inflict retribution,
   and prophets to succeed you.
You were taken up by a whirlwind of fire,
   in a chariot with horses of fire.
At the appointed time, it is written, you are destined
   to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury,
to turn the hearts of parents to their children,
   and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Happy are those who saw you
   and were adorned with your love!
   For we also shall surely live.

Luke 1:5-23

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’ Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father, saying
(R.) Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.

Lord God, who promised Zechariah a son filled with the spirit and power of Elijah, to prepare a people fit for the Lord
  - we pray for reconciliation between all people. (R.)

Lord God, when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting the baby leapt in her womb
 -  may we bless among women she who believed your promise, and proclaim with joy the good news of your Christ. (R.)

Lord God, at John's birth Zechariah proclaimed he would be the prophet of the Most High
  - we pray for all who preach the Good News. (R.)

Lord God, when your Son came to the Jordan and was baptized by John he saw the heavens open and the Spirit descending as a dove
  - may we who are baptized into your Church faithfully proclaim in the world the words of your beloved Son. (R.)

Lord God, John proclaimed your Son as 'the Lamb of God' and John's disciples followed Jesus
  - help us to follow him too, and by our words and deeds to bring our families and friends closer to you. (R.)

Lord God, who sent John to witness to the light, to be the voice of one crying in the wilderness and to prepare the way of the Lord
  - comfort your people and bring your healing to the sick and needy, to the broken-hearted and the oppressed, to prisoners and captives. (R.)

Lord God, John preached the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and suffered imprisonment and death for proclaiming your Law
  - we pray with and for all who have died in your service, joining our prayers with John the Baptist, and all the saints, and grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom. (R.)

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

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
 hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
 thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
 and forgive us our trespasses
 as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
 but deliver us from evil.

Closing Prayer:
O God, you raised up the blessed John the Baptist to make ready a perfect people for Christ the Lord.
Give your people the grace of spiritual joy
 and guide the minds of all the faithful
 onto the path of salvation and peace.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
 who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 God for ever and ever.
Amen.