The Origins of Christmas: Myth or Reality?
Everything you believe, as a Christian, hinges on a single night in history. If the events of Christmas didn’t really happen, then the foundation of our faith crumbles. No stable. No manger. No baby born to save the world. If there’s none of that then there’s no cross, no resurrection, no salvation—there’s no hope for us. Christmas isn’t just a cozy story we tell to feel warm during the holidays. It’s the most pivotal moment in history.
In this series, Reason for the Season, we’re going to dig into why Christmas matters. We’re going to see that it’s not a myth or a fairy tale but a historical event that happened in real time and space. You see, the message of Christmas is that God entered our world. He didn’t just stay at a distance. He came close, taking on flesh to rescue us. Our faith hinges on this truth, on the incarnation. If Christmas is true, everything changes—hope, life, eternity. If it’s not, then we’re wasting our time.
Hear what Tim Keller says about the hope that comes from this reality in his book “Hidden Christmas”:
“The claim that Jesus is God also gives us the greatest possible hope. This means that our world is not all there is, that there is life and love after death, and that evil and suffering will one day end. And it means not just hope for the world, despite all its unending problems, but hope for you and me, despite all our unending failings.
A God who was only holy would not have come down to us in Jesus Christ. He would have simply demanded that we pull ourselves together, that we be moral and holy enough to merit a relationship with him. A deity that was an “all-accepting God of love” would not have needed to come to Earth either. This God of the modern imagination would have just overlooked sin and evil and embraced us. Neither the God of moralism nor the God of relativism would have bothered with Christmas.
The biblical God, however, is infinitely holy, so our sin could not be shrugged off. It had to be dealt with. He is also infinitely loving. He knows we could never climb up to him, so he has come down to us. God had to come himself and do what we couldn’t do. He doesn’t send someone; he doesn’t send a committee report or a preacher to tell you how to save yourself. He comes himself to fetch us.
Christmas means, then, that for you and me there is all the hope in the world.”
So today, as we kick off this series, we’re going to start by asking: Is Christmas real, or is it just another story? We’ll look at the historical evidence and the purpose behind some of the prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ birth to show that the Christmas story isn’t just something we celebrate. It’s something our faith stands on. It’s the reason for our faith, our hope, and the very season itself.
If we’re looking at Christmas in an investigative way, we need to see this first: The Gospels are a picture of what really happened.
When we open up the Gospels, we’re not diving into fairy tales or legends—this isn’t “once upon a time.” We’re reading history. Luke begins the birth narrative in Luke 2:1-2 by saying, “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.” Now, that might seem like just another detail, but it’s not. Luke is saying, “Go ahead, check it out—these things actually happened.” This was a real census by a real emperor, and you can verify it.
If Luke was inventing a story, why would he include such precise details that could be scrutinized or disproved? He wouldn’t. Myths and legends keep things vague and mysterious. Luke, on the other hand, names names, gives dates, and sets the scene in a way that only someone confident in their facts would do. He doesn’t write it like he’s telling a tale. He writes it like a history book. Like something that actually happened. He wants you to know that Jesus’ birth isn’t a fictional tale. It’s anchored in the real reality of history.
And it’s not just Luke. Matthew starts his Gospel with a genealogy, tracing Jesus back through David and all the way to Abraham. Why? Because he’s rooting the story in real people, in real events. He’s showing that Jesus didn’t come out of nowhere. He came as part of a long-anticipated promise. The Messiah had to come from the line of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Matthew is saying, Here’s the proof. It all checks out.
Hear what Keller says about this:
“Matthew does not begin his story of Jesus’ birth by saying, ‘Once upon a time.’ That is the way fairy tales and legends and myths… begin. ‘Once upon a time’ signals that this probably didn’t happen or that we don’t know if it happened, but it is a beautiful story that teaches us so much. But that is not the kind of account Matthew is giving us. He says, ‘This is the genealogy of Jesus Christ.’ That means he is grounding what Jesus Christ is and does in history. Jesus is not a metaphor. He is real. This all happened.”
So, the Gospels are rooted in history, not in fiction. They provide specific names, dates, and events that can be corroborated outside of the Bible. That’s huge. Luke and Matthew wrote their accounts within the lifetimes of people who could verify or refute what they were claiming. They weren’t hiding behind vague, mystical language. They weren’t telling grand, “Once upon a time” stories. They were inviting investigation. They were saying, “Go ahead, ask the people who were there. This all checks out.”
This is completely different from mythology. Mythology thrives on ambiguity. It talks about events in “another time” or in “faraway lands.” But the Gospels give us concrete markers like Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, and a specific census. They don’t tell us a feel-good story disconnected from reality. They place Jesus’ birth right in the middle of Roman history—events that scholars outside of the Bible have documented.
And archaeology backs this up. Skeptics once doubted Luke’s mention of Quirinius, claiming there was no evidence he governed Syria during the census. But then came the discovery of an inscription that confirmed Quirinius held administrative authority in Syria not once, but twice.[1] His earlier term aligns exactly with Luke’s timeline. Archaeology continually silences the critics.
What about the census?[2] Critics argued it was improbable that Rome required people to return to ancestral towns for registration. But papyrus records from Egypt show that Roman censuses did indeed require individuals to return to their families’ homes.[3] Luke’s description of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem fits this exact practice. Far from being invented, the details of the census align perfectly with what we know about Roman administrative policies.
Even the role of Caesar Augustus as emperor during this time is historically verified. Augustus issued empire-wide decrees, including ones to organize taxation, such as the census described by Luke. Coins and inscriptions from his reign testify to his rule, his policies, and his relentless organization of the empire. Luke didn’t just make up a convenient backstory. He anchored the birth of Jesus in real history.
And why does this matter? Because if these events didn’t actually happen—if Jesus wasn’t really born in Bethlehem when Luke and Matthew say He was, then everything else crumbles. Our faith isn’t built on stories that make us feel good. It’s built on truth. It’s built on the fact that God stepped into human history, in a real time and place, to bring salvation.
The Gospel writers want us to know that we’re standing on solid ground. Luke and Matthew aren’t saying, “Trust us because it’s a nice story.” They’re saying, “This happened. Check the records, ask the people who lived it.” The fact that the Gospels were written during the lifetime of eyewitnesses is critical. If what they wrote was false, people could have easily disproven it.
So, when we celebrate Christmas, we’re not just celebrating a tradition. We’re celebrating a historical event—the moment when God Himself really entered our world. And that’s why we can have confidence. The Gospels aren’t afraid of scrutiny because they know they’re telling the truth. And it’s that truth—the historical truth of Christmas—that becomes the foundation of our faith. But this historical reality predates the history of that first Christmas. That’s why Matthew starts his account with a genealogy—a history.
Jesus fulfilled every prophecy concerning himself.
We’ll hit on this in more detail next week, but it’s important to mention now. The Christmas story doesn’t start in a manger. It starts with the promises God made long ago. Long before Jesus was born, God spoke through the prophets, laying out details about the coming Messiah—details that Jesus fulfilled precisely. Every one of them. The fact that Jesus matches these prophecies so perfectly isn’t just a coincidence. It’s further evidence that the incarnation really happened. God really took on flesh.
There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament that point to the Messiah. They weren’t vague statements that could apply to anyone. They were specific. They described things like His lineage, the manner of His birth, the place He would be born, and even the circumstances surrounding His arrival. Micah 5:2, for instance, foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, a small town that didn’t have any significant political or religious power. And that’s exactly where Jesus was born around 700 years later (Luke 2:4-7).
But that’s just one example. Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecies builds a case for the miraculous reality of His birth. If you had one or two predictions about an event, you might chalk it up to coincidence. But if you have hundreds—each one getting more and more specific—the likelihood of them all being fulfilled by chance becomes literally impossible. The only explanation is divine intervention.
Isaiah 7:14 says, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This prophecy, given around 700 years before Jesus was born, was fulfilled when Mary, a virgin, gave birth to Jesus. And we have a copy of the entire scroll of Isaiah that predates Christ by 100 years.[4] These kinds of details—predicted centuries in advance and fulfilled exactly—aren’t random. They demonstrate that God was at work, ensuring every prophecy came to pass.
Jesus fulfilled prophecy after prophecy, one after another, like pieces of a divine puzzle falling perfectly into place. He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). A descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:12-13). He was called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1) and was preceded by a messenger, John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:3). He opened the eyes of the blind and healed the lame (Isaiah 35:5-6). He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). He was betrayed by a friend for thirty pieces of silver (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12-13). He was mocked, beaten, and pierced for our sins (Isaiah 53:3-7; Psalm 22:16-18). Even as He died, the soldiers cast lots for His clothes (Psalm 22:18). And then He rose from the dead, just as it was foretold (Psalm 16:10). Every prophecy, every detail, perfectly fulfilled. Coincidence? No way. This wasn’t chance. This was God screaming, “This is My Son! This is the Savior! Trust Him! Follow Him!” Every promise fulfilled is proof that Jesus is who He said He is, and Christmas is the moment that hope took on flesh.
The fact that so many predictions align with the life of Jesus verifies that this wasn’t a story crafted by His followers. It wasn’t a myth. It was a plan unfolding in history. The prophecies build a case for the truth of Christmas, showing us that God was at work long before that night in Bethlehem.
So, why does this matter for us today? It means our faith is anchored in something real. Something long-lasting. We don’t believe in Jesus because it feels good or because we grew up with Christmas traditions. We believe because the weight of history points to the truth, that God entered our world in the person of Jesus, fulfilling His promises exactly as He said He would. This isn’t just a story. It’s God’s plan unfolding in real time, and that’s what we celebrate at Christmas.
Christmas myths don’t negate Christmas miracles.
We’ve been talking about the reality of Christmas. But what do you think about when you think of Christmas? If you get past Santa, elves, and reindeer, when we think of Christmas, many of us imagine a cozy nativity scene. A wooden stable, animals calmly gathered around, three wise men presenting gifts, angels singing, and a bright star above. It’s a beautiful image, and it’s become central to our celebrations. But here’s the thing—some of these elements are more tradition than truth. Over time, we’ve added layers to the Christmas story that aren’t exactly found in the Bible. While many of these traditions aren’t completely false, it’s important to separate cultural additions from what Scripture actually says. Why? Because the real story is powerful enough on its own, and clarifying what’s true and what’s myth strengthens the actual truth.
Let’s start with the idea that Jesus was born in a stable. The Bible doesn’t specifically say this. Luke 2:7 tells us that Mary “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.” But the word translated as “inn” can also mean “guest room.” It’s more likely that Jesus was born in the lower level of a house where animals were kept, rather than a standalone stable. The tradition of the stable comes from a misunderstanding of the text. The focus was never on the exact location but on the humble and unexpected nature of the Messiah’s birth. The emphasis isn’t on the setting but on the reality that God chose to enter the world in humble circumstances.
Another widespread myth is the presence of animals at Jesus’ birth. While nativity scenes often feature sheep, cows, and donkeys gathered around the manger, the Bible doesn’t mention any animals being present. This image likely comes from the assumption that if Jesus was placed in a manger, there must have been animals nearby. But again, this is more of an inference than a fact. The Bible’s focus is on Jesus Himself, the Savior born to redeem the world, rather than the setting’s specifics.
Next, let’s tackle the wise men. We often see “three kings” arriving at the stable, each carrying a gift. But Matthew 2:1-2 doesn’t tell us how many wise men came. It only says that wise men from the east followed the star to find Jesus. The idea of “three” probably comes from the three gifts they presented: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). Also, the wise men didn’t arrive the night Jesus was born. They likely arrived much later when Jesus was a toddler. Matthew 2:11 mentions that they entered “the house” where Jesus was, not a stable, showing that some time had passed since His birth.
And what about the star? Many believe that the star hovered directly over the stable, shining down like a spotlight. While Matthew 2:9 says that the star “went before” the wise men until it came to rest over the place where Jesus was, the exact nature of this phenomenon isn’t described as a spotlight. It could have been a supernatural event or a unique alignment of stars. The important thing isn’t how it looked or how it happened, but that God used it to guide people to His Son. And they found Him.
Lastly, there’s the image of angels singing in the sky above the shepherds. While Luke 2:13-14 describes a “multitude of the heavenly host” praising God, it doesn’t say they were singing. It says they were “saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” Our Christmas carols might paint a picture of angels singing in harmony, but the biblical account focuses on their proclamation rather than music. The emphasis is on the announcement of God’s peace and favor, not on the performance of a heavenly concert. What matters is the content of what they were proclaiming.
So why does any of this matter? It’s not about taking the magic out of Christmas or dismantling our traditions. It’s about understanding that the real Christmas story is powerful on its own. The miraculous nature of the incarnation—the Son of God being born in humble circumstances, fulfilling prophecy, and being revealed to shepherds and wise men—stands on its own. The message of God becoming flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14) doesn’t need embellishment.
When we strip away the myths, we’re left with the true miracle of Christmas: God’s entrance into our world in the most unexpected way. This wasn’t a grand royal entrance with fanfare and majesty. It was God choosing to come in humility, born in obscurity, and revealed to the least likely people. And that makes the story even more incredible.
The message of Christmas isn’t about stables, animals, or the exact number of wise men. It’s about God’s promises fulfilled, His love demonstrated, and His plan unfolding in real history. When we grasp that truth, Christmas becomes more than a story—it’s not just a myth—it’s as C.S. Lewis describes it, “A true myth.”[5] One that not only affects our mind with its reality, but it changes our heart.
Again, hear what Keller says about this, similar to what C.S. Lewis says regarding all myths and stories that we long for and that resonate so deeply within us. The stories of a hero saving the day, of great sacrifices to rescue those in need, stories of deep, abiding love. All these myths point to the true myth. The true story that all other stories are but copies of.
“Then we come to the Christmas story. And at first glance it looks like the other legends. Here is a story about someone from a different world who breaks into ours and has miraculous powers, and can calm the storm and heal people and raise people from the dead. Then his enemies turn on him, and he is put to death, and it seems like all hope is over, but finally he rises from the dead and saves everyone. We read that and we think, Another great fairy tale! Indeed, it looks like the Christmas story is one more story pointing to these underlying realities.
But Matthew’s Gospel refutes that by grounding Jesus in history, not “once upon a time.” He says this is no fairy tale. Jesus Christ is not one more lovely story pointing to these underlying realities—Jesus is the underlying reality to which all the stories point.
Jesus Christ has come from that eternal, supernatural world that we sense is there, that our hearts know is there even though our heads say no. At Christmas he punched a hole between the ideal and the real, the eternal and the temporal, and came into our world. That means, if Matthew is right, that there is an evil sorcerer in this world, and we are under enchantment, and there is a noble prince who has broken the enchantment, and there is a love from which we will never be parted. And we will indeed fly someday, and we will defeat death, and in this world, now “red in tooth and claw,” someday even the trees are going to dance and sing (Psalm 65:13, 96:11-13).
Put another way, even though the fairy tales aren’t factually true, the truth of Jesus means all the stories we love are not escapism at all. In a sense, they (or the supernatural realities to which they point) will come true in him.
If you are a Christian, it is hard to know what to say to a child reading a book who says, “I wish there was a noble prince who saved us from the dragon. I wish there was a Superman. I wish we could fly. I wish we could live forever.” You can’t just blurt out, “There is! We will!” There is a scene in the movie Hook where Maggie Smith plays an elderly Wendy from the Peter Pan story. She addresses Robin Williams, a grown-up Peter Pan who has amnesia. He is amused by the stories Wendy tells his children, but at one point she stares right at him and says: “Peter, the stories are true.” If Christmas really happened, it means the whole human race has amnesia, but the tales we love most aren’t really just entertaining escapism. The Gospel, because it is a true story, means all the best stories will be proved, in the ultimate sense, true.”
My favorite Christian musician, and he has happened to write the greatest original Christmas album that walks you through scripture, called “Behold the Lamb of God,” is Andrew Peterson. He is also a writer as well. In his decades of ministry in engaging people’s hearts and minds with the gospel, there has been one phrase that he continually reminds people, and it’s this: “The stories are true.”
Jesus really came to give you the greatest gift.
[1] https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/lapidario-cristiano/abercio/frammento-dell-iscrizione-sepolcrale-di-quirinius.html
[2] https://crossexamined.org/really-census-time-caesar-augustus
[3] https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2019/12/13/caesar-augustus-an-archaeological-biography
[4] http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/isaiah
[5] https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/reflections-july-2022
