Thank you. Welcome to Truth for Life where we are beginning a new series called Good News, Great Joy.

We'll be taking a close look at the purpose and truth behind the celebration of Christmas.

It's not just a fun holiday to brighten the dark winter nights.

Today, Alistair Begg helps us consider the historical evidence for the birth of Jesus,

and we begin in Luke's Gospel.

Luke, Chapter 2, verse 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered

this was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria

Luke recognizes that there was a second more famous registration, which is

referenced in the Acts of the Apostles, and by this means he's distinguishing between that and

this, and all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of

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

with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give

birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths,

and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.

In the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, fear not, for behold, I bring you

good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of

David, a savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you. You will find

a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a

multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest and on earth,

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