Evidence

Following our World Record Attempt at our Carol Service (to be The Largest Group of carol Singers Across Multiple Venues!), we have to provide evidence of how many people were present.
This is provided in 3 ways.
First, Ed Stokes took some still photos, which look good, and show a big crowd of people, mostly their backs, appearing to  be singing!
Then Barry Nay set up his video camera, which has produced a great film of the whole 15 minutes of our singing. The evidence there is more detailed - we can even hear that some singing isn't in tune!
But the most important pieces of evidence are the two signed statements from 'Independent Witnesses' (Sue Tresillian, Headteacher of Sythwood School, and Hedley Quinton, from Lakeside Christian Fellowship).
They had Hand Tally Counters to aid them, and they had to ignore all under 10s, and all stewards and supervisors. Sue's figure was 192, and Hedley's was 193.
That is a good level of evidence for the truth of our claim to have been part of the genuine World Record.
When Luke tells his story about the events surrounding the birth, life and death of Jesus, he needs to present reasons why we should trust his story. And this he gives us, as he writes to his original recipient, a man named Theophilus. 'Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honourable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.' (Luke 1.1-4)
Serious historians and theologians of these days generally accept that Luke was one of the greatest historians of the ancient world. Whenever his details can be checked against other sources, they agree.
This means that when we read these stories, we are in the realm of fact and truth, rather than fable and fantasy.
As we retell this great Christmas story in the next few days, let us rejoice to know we have solid grounds for trusting the God who sent Jesus for us.
Best wishes,
Richard