Text: Luke 1:57-80
Hymn: 344, On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
Kretzmann Commentary: Luke: 1:57-80
Bonus Bumper: G.P. Telemann, Benedictus Dominus, Deus Israel
Luke 1 finishes with the Song of Zechariah, a prophecy to the son of Zechariah, John the Baptist. The setting of this text in the LSB Matins service is quite beautiful.
The last time we played 344, Iggy commented:
It’s an interesting progression between Stanzas 3 and 4. We go from “Like flow’rs that wither and decay” to “Till beauty springs in ev’ry place.”Without Christ, we are Stanza 3.
Because of Christ, we are Stanza 4!
Can we say “now / not yet?” 
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
- On Jordan’s bank the baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings! - Then cleansed by every life from sin;
Make straight the way for God within,
And let us all our hearts prepare
For Christ to come and enter there. - We hail Thee as our Savior, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward;
Without Thy grace we waste away
Like flow’rs that wither and decay. - Lay on the sick Thy healing hand
And make the fallen strong to stand;
Show us the glory of Thy face
Till beauty springs in ev-’ry place. - All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Whose advent sets Thy people free,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore.
