Luke 1:1-4 - Graeme Shanks

‘Have yourself a certain little Christmas’

I’m a sucker for slapstick comedy. As a child I used to love the Looney Tunes cartoons. You know the scene where the character would keep running right off the edge of the cliff face before suddenly realising that they were in fact standing on nothing?

Well let’s run with that scene for a moment (pun very much intended). Question for you - as we consider the Christmas story are we standing on solid ground? Is there substance to this story or is this fanciful make believe? The answer to that question really matters.

Luke, the historian come doctor who with an eye for an investigative detail, is not one for having the wool pulled over his eyes. Indeed, as we begin our advent journey in his gospel, here are two big reasons why we can know that when we read his account of the things accomplished amongst us, we’re standing on solid ground.

#Reason1 His account is well researched. Not only has he tracked down the original eyewitnesses to hear from them but he’s also followed the story closely for some time. Luke has left no stone unturned in his pursuit of the truth.

#Reason2 His account is well ordered. This is no thrown together bit of work. This is a well structured and presented bit of literature. The truth contained therein is worth it.

And so here’s the Lucan equation: well researched + well ordered = certainty. That’s what you can have as you read his account.

So go on - have yourself a certain little Christmas!