We begin our series on the stories of the Nativity and their connection to the Old Testament by considering Luke 1:1-8 in the light of Luke 24, 2 Peter 1:19, Amos 9:11, Gen 18, 1 Sam/1 Kingdoms 1, Exodus 37, and 2 Chr. 26:18. Luke signals in his opening verses the deep continuity between the story of Israel and the story of Jesus, both in revealing his intent as an author, and in echoing parts of the Old Testament.