And it came to pass in those days that they went out to decree from Caesar Augustus that

all the world should be taxed.

This taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, and

to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage

of David, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should

be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid

him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.

So that is probably one of the most famous passages ever written.

It's from the Gospel according to St. Luke, which was probably written at the end of

the first century AD, and it, of course, describes the birth of Jesus Christ.

Now Tom, we have just finished our World Cup marathon.

We are resuming normal service, and we're resuming normal service just before Christmas,

with arguably the greatest, the most bewildering, the most mysterious historical subject of all,

which is the life of Jesus.

And this is something that was voted for, wasn't it, by listeners to the rest is history

club.

Yes, about a year ago.

Yes.

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