On Christmas Eve, we ask: is the Nativity story about real people, real events - or something else? Foreign editor Greg Sheridan is on assignment: back in time to the little town of Bethlehem. 

This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey with sound design and editing by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. 

This episode includes small moments of exquisite Christmas music including Frank Sinatra’s Silent Night, The Beatles’ Let it Be and the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge performing Once In Royal David’s City. 

Greg Sheridan’s book Christians is published by Allen & Unwin.