Welcome to the 2018 Daily Advent Devotional from Walton United Church. Each day throughout Advent, you’ll receive a short email with a short reading, a reflection and a prayer, aiming to encourage you throughout Advent and help you draw closer to God. This year, we’re exploring the Advent and Nativity story as told in the Gospel of Luke, starting with Luke 1:1-4 – Luke’s introduction to his Gospel.

Luke 1: 1-4

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.

In this arguably post-truth world that we live in, Luke’s careful preparation and diligent efforts act as both reminder and encouragement of the value and power of truth. Moreover, as Luke indicates, God’s truth – embodied in the life and love of Jesus Christ – is not only to be preserved but also treasured and shared. As we progress through Advent, we are challenged to remember that this is not just a time of expectation, but also of affirmation. So as we wait for the birth of our Lord, Jesus, we affirm his saving grace and eternal love – and we accept the challenge of trying to live as a “servant of the word.”