As previously discussed in Reality Search, Luke is writing for people of a Greek (or of 'the nations') philosophical background, that is, people who are described by the Jews of the day as being Gentiles or pagans. Scholars generally consider Luke's gospel was written in a somewhat affluent community somewhere in the Roman Empire. One can already note a few things. Luke tells a corporate individual (with a Greek name) that he has carefully researched his facts. He says the sources he uses have been based on eyewitness accounts. Scholars generally accept that both Luke and Matthew use Mark's gospel as their major narrative though they also share material which is not in Mark (called the Q source). Luke suggests that a number of people have been involved in the drawing up of a narrative (c/f Mark). A reader knows from the story of Acts that the early church became active in giving leadership from the beginning. It is not surprising therefore that church leadership may have drawn up a framework in which an authenticated narrative would be presented For Luke, technical accuracy in such a narrative is important. Luke knows his readers are less likely to accept embellishments such as to be found in some Jewish midrash. His readers would want to know whether or not his material is factually accurate. Also Luke acknowledges that they would want to know that what they had been instructed in was theologically sound as well. That is, that it would lead to a reliable way of living. It appears that Luke's readers would expect his material to be presented in a logical way as far as possible. Recall that these people were capable of building extraordinary roads, bridges, buildings etc. They loved order even though at times they could slip into the 'chaos' of imposed cruelty. They would want to be basing their lives on solid foundations with a morality that the Roman civilisation had failed to offer.

It is interesting to note that in the message of the angel he (/she) talks about turning the hearts of fathers 'to' or 'upon' or 'into' children, This is a central theme as presented in Reality Search. The disposition of one's heart appears especially relevant in relation to the type of society that the 'Gentiles' represent. Consider for example when Mark appears to deal with a society based upon place and its need for a sense of direction. The central point in Mark's Section B makes a criticism of people who cannot pick up what is happening because of their "hardness of heart."

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1:19 Answering this the angel said to him. "I am Gabriel, the one standing before God and I was sent to speak to you and to announce these things to you. Behold you will be silent and unable to speak until that day when these things happen, because you did not believe what I was saying." The people were expecting Zacharias and they wondered why he was delayed in the shrine. On going

out he was unable to speak to them. They knew that he had seen a vision in the shrine. He was beckoning to them yet remained dumb. It happened that when his days of service were completed he went away to his house. After this Elisabeth his wife conceived and hid herself for five months saying. "The Lord has done this for me in order to take away my

reproach from amongst people." Now when she was in her sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee called Nazareth to a virgin who was betrothed to a man called Joseph. He was of the house of David. The name of the virgin was Mary. Upon entering he (Gabriel) said to her. "Hail favoured one. The Lord is with you." She was

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greatly disturbed at this address and wondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her. "Do not be afraid Mary for you have found favour with God. Behold you will conceive in our womb and bear a son. You will call him Jesus. This son will be great and will be called Son of the Most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his Father. He will reign over the house of Jacob for all ages. There will not be an end of his kingdom. Mary said to the angel "How will this be since I have no husband?" Answering the angel said to her "The Holy Spirit will come upon you. The power of the Most High will overshadow you. Wherefore what is born to you will be called the holy Son of God. And behold your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age and despite being called barren is now in her sixth month because nothing is impossible with God." Mary said "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me as you have said". The angel went away from her. Then getting up around this time she went to the mountain country with haste to a city of Judah She went into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. It came to pass when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe in her womb suddenly jumped. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a great cry of joy and said "Blessed are you amongst women. Blessed is the fruit of your womb. Whence is it that the mother of my Lord should come to visit me. For behold when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped with joy. Blessed is the one who believes because there will be a completion of the things which have been spoken to her by the Lord."

Mary said to her "My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit exults in God my Saviour. He has looked upon the low estate of his handmaid. Behold from now on all generations will consider me blessed because the Mighty one has done great things to me. Holy is his name. His mercy is to generations and generations of those who fear him. He has done mighty things with his arm. He has scattered those who are haughty in the understanding of their hearts. He has pulled down potentates from thrones and had exalted people who are humble. He has filled those who hunger with good things and he has sent away the rich empty handed. He has helped Israel his servant in remembrance of his mercy as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever." Mary remained with her (Elizabeth) for about three months then returned to her home. Now for Elizabeth the time came for her to give birth and she gave birth to a son. The neighbours and her relatives heard about this and they shared in her joy that the mercy of the Lord had been shown to her. It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. They were calling him by his father's name Zacharias. But answering them his mother said. "No. He is to be called John." They said to her "There are no relatives of yours who are called by this name. They nodded to his father as to what he wanted him called. Asking for a tablet he wrote saying. "His name is John." They all marvelled about this.

Then from that moment his (Zacharias) mouth was opened and he spoke blessing God. Then a fear came on all those who were living around them. In all the mountain country of Judea around people were talking about this. On hearing about it they reflected in their hearts saying "What then will this child become? For the hand of the Lord is with him." Zacharias, his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied saying. "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel. He has visited and has brought about redemption for his people. He has raised a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant. This is as he had spoken through the mouth of the holy ones in the age of the prophets. There is salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. (The Most High) has shown mercy with our fathers and remembers his holy covenant (agreement) which he swore to Abraham our father. This was a promise to deliver us from the hands of our enemies. So that we could serve him in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives. And you also, child will be called a prophet of the Most High. You will go before the Lord to prepare his way. You will give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of sins. Because of the depths of the mercy of our God, a rising sun will visit us from on high. It will appear to those who are in darkness and who sit in a shadow of death. It will guide our feet into a way of peace." And so the child grew and became strong in spirit. He was in the deserts until he began to appear to Israel.