THE STAGGERING PARADOX OF THE HYMNS IN THE LUKAN BIRTH NARRATIVE

With The Nunc Dimittis, and the other hymns of the Lukan birth narratives, such as The Magnificat and The Benedictus, "we are confronted with the staggering paradox that He who is the Lord's Anointed (Christos Kyriou) is in truth the Lord Himself (Christos Kyrios). His place and mission in the history of revelation and redemption receive further clarification when His coming is viewed as accomplishing the fulfilment of the covenant established with Abraham, 1:54f, 72f) and as effecting the redemption and salvation of Israel, 1:68; 2:38; 1:69,77; 2:11,20; 1:47)." - Stonehouse