Dec 232012

New Songs in the Gospel
The Gospel of Luke records four “new songs” which have become part of our Church’s liturgy since the earliest days. All of them are connected with the coming of Christ into the world. They are: The Canticle of Mary (Luke 1:41-56) – This song is placed in Mary’s mouth in the Gospel story of her visit to Elizabeth. It is reminiscent of several Old Testament hymns, especially the “song of Hannah” (1 Samuel 2:1-10), a prayer giving thanks to God for the birth of her son, Samuel. Mary’s Canticle gives thanks because God “has regarded the humility of His hand-maid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed because He that is mighty, has done great things to me; and holy is His name,” alluding to her conception of Christ. Its last lines – “He has received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy: as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever” – received new meaning in light of the Gospel. The promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Christ. This Canticle is thought to be the earliest Marian hymn used by the Church. It is found in the daily services of all the historic Churches of East and West. In the Byzantine rite this hymn is regularly sung at Orthros. The Canticle of Zachariah (Luke 1:67-79) – This song of thanksgiving is uttered in the gospel by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Like the Canticle of Mary, this hymn also refers to “The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father” which is now fulfilled as God has “visited and wrought the redemption of His people; and hath raised up a horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant.” This image, a “horn of salvation,” probably alludes to the might of a steer, the leader of a flock. Applying this image to John indicates that he fulfills the biblical prophecy that “I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed” (Psalm 131:17, LXX). As the Forerunner of Christ John would be “the burning and shining Lamp” as Jesus described him (John 5:35) powerfully calling the people to repentance. The canticle employs another image, this time for Christ whom John announced. “The Orient from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79). The One who rises from the east is the sun, enlightening those in the dark. The ultimate sun, we may say, is the Lord Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness. This image is also used in the troparion for Christmas, alluding to Christ as the One who led the Magi from the East to be the first Gentiles to worship Him:Your nativity, O Christ our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world. Though it those who had been star worshippers learned through a star to worship You, O Sun of Justice, and recognize in You the One who rises from on high. O Lord, glory to You!The Canticle of Zachariah may be heard at Orthros on certain days. The Hymn of the Angels (Luke 2:14) – The announcement of Christ’s birth to the shepherds concludes with these words: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” The prophet Isaiah foretold that “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…and His name will be called … the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). And so this proclamation that Christ, our peace, is on earth resounded through the early Church. “He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” (Ephesians 2:14). The Hymn of the Angels would be expanded into one of the most solemn chants of the Church by the third century. We find it in expanded form in the Great Doxology, sung at festal Orthros and in another form at daily Orthros. It was introduced in the West in the fourth century and is heard in a slightly different form at festal Masses. In a sense this song represents the entire liturgy of the Church as now reconciled to God and one another in Christ, we join the angels in the worship of God. The Canticle of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32) – The fourth New Testament canticle is uttered by Simeon the Just when he greets the infant Christ in the temple. Here too we see Christ proclaimed as the One who reconciles Jew and Gentile in a new people of God. Simeon declared Him to be “A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” This canticle is sung every day at vespers. It also forms a part of the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, said as the priest removes his vestments.