The One Thing You Can’t Live Without

Just as chefs vary in their approach to cooking a dish, each of the Gospel writers takes a different approach in telling the story of Jesus Christ. Matthew goes into great depth and detail of what Jesus did and why it relates to Jewish beliefs. Mark is much more brief and precise. He gets in and out and lands the plane. John is my heartthrob. He adds color and hue and vibrancy to the Gospel story.

Then there’s Luke, an analytical mind concerned with timelines, accuracy, and the history of Jesus’ life. Luke’s perspective reflects the mind of a businessman and doctor. This Gospel highlights details about the healings of Jesus, which others omit, and features some of Jesus’ finest teachings on finances. If you want to learn about the miracles of Jesus, read Luke.

One of the unusual features of Luke’s Gospel is its rich understanding of the setting for Christ’s birth. Because of his desire to be accurate and historical, Luke explains that God is working in and through history culminating in the birth of Jesus. The pages of the Old Testament promise the Messiah’s birth, and Luke’s introduction bridges the gap between the covenant and culmination.

Through the opening pages of Luke’s Gospel, we’re reminded of the one thing you can’t live without:

Hope.

Jesus, the hope of the world, enters into the broken mess of humanity bringing hope. Hope of freedom and a future, redemption and restoration.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to slow to a stroll as we meander through Luke’s opening chapters that detail the birth of Christ.

The weeks leading up to Christmas are often filled with lists and lines, to-dos and to-don’ts. If we’re not careful, a season meant to bring the greatest joy, can steal our joy. Yet Advent beckons us to slow down and prepare for the arrival of a tiny heartbeat.

In this season, we’re reminded of the importance of waiting. Advent whispers our need for a Savior. It teaches us that God’s timing is always better than ours. And above all, it bubbles with the joy of our great God.

We are meant to radiate joy everywhere we go. As God’s children, we have joy not in spite of our circumstances but because of them. We are drenched in the grace and mercies of God. Joy is a facet of the fruit of God’s Spirit meant to flourish within us.

Whether you’re new to celebrating Advent or you’ve observed Advent for many years, I hope you rediscover the joy of God anew and that the delight of knowing Christ will radiate everywhere you go.