Joseph Otsibah 
Christmas remains one of the most widely celebrated events in the world, yet its spiritual and historical foundations are often overshadowed by tradition and sentiment. Beneath the familiar symbols lies a central Christian claim: that in first-century Judea, God entered human history through the birth of Jesus Christ. Christianity stands or falls not on myth or moral ideals but on historical assertions – claims of a real birth, a public ministry, documented teachings, reported miracles, a public execution, and a proclaimed resurrection. If these claims are false, Christmas is no more than a moving story; if true, it is among the most consequential events in human history.
Historical inquiry begins with eyewitness testimony; a standard used in both legal and historical investigation. The New Testament Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – present themselves as records grounded in either direct or indirect eyewitness accounts. Though originally circulated anonymously, the early Church consistently affirmed their authorship. Second-century testimony from Papias identified Mark as faithfully recording the recollections of the apostle Peter and Matthew as preserving the teachings of Jesus. Later, Irenaeus confirmed this tradition, situating the Gospels firmly within the apostolic era.
Questions have been raised about whether these accounts were written too late to be historically reliable. However, mainstream scholarly dating places Mark around AD 70, Matthew and Luke around AD 80, and John around AD 90 – well within the lifetimes of eyewitnesses and their contemporaries, including critics who could have challenged false claims. By comparison, the primary biographies of Alexander the Great were written more than four centuries after his death yet are widely accepted by historians. Moreover, internal evidence suggests even earlier dates for the Gospels, placing them within three decades of the crucifixion.
Archaeological findings further support the Gospel narratives. Ancient census records confirm Roman practices consistent with Luke’s account, while discoveries around Nazareth establish it as a small but existing Jewish settlement in the first century. Even events questioned by skeptics, such as Herod’s slaughter of infants in Bethlehem, align with what is known of Herod’s brutality and the village’s modest size.
Beyond history and archaeology, the identity of Jesus is tested against Old Testament messianic prophecies. Dozens of predictions – regarding birthplace, lineage, manner of death, and timing – converge uniquely in Christ. The statistical improbability of coincidence, combined with the inability to manipulate many of these factors, strengthens the case that Jesus alone fits this prophetic “fingerprint.”
In sum, Christmas rests on a foundation of history that invites serious reflection. As explored in The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel, the evidence points beyond tradition to the incarnation itself. The enduring message of Christmas is not merely celebration, but God’s self-giving in Christ – offering forgiveness, renewal, and new life to all who respond in faith.
Bible Studies Department, PENSA UPSA (Culled from the best-seller The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel)
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