Have you ever doubted the story surrounding Jesus's birth? I know I have.
Despite listening in fascination to the Christmas story as a child, I eventually became an atheist and spent many years doubting that God existed at all.
But even as an atheist, I loved Christmas. People seemed friendlier. Decorations sparkled. Children were full of anticipation. The parties were fun. What's not to like about December?
So I went along for the ride—until a true believer would insist the holiday was based on something other than legend. That's when I'd jump in with ridicule. Virgins don't conceive babies. There's no God who became a man. Christmas was a nice story—but not one that could withstand journalistic scrutiny.
Then I met the Delgados.
Sixty-year-old Perfecta Delgado and her two grandchildren were some of the most destitute people I'd ever interviewed. Burned out of their tenement, they were living in a drafty two-bedroom apartment that was virtually devoid of possessions.
Yet despite their poverty, Perfecta spoke confidently about her faith in Jesus. She was convinced He had not abandoned her. I never sensed despair—only peace and hope.
Here was a family that had nothing but faith and yet seemed happy, while I had everything I needed materially but lacked faith—and inside, I felt as barren as their apartment. To Perfecta, the child in the manger meant everything—more than possessions or even comfort.
Something inside me longed for what they had. Or more accurately, for the One they knew.
I wish I could say my life was transformed that day, but it wasn't. Yet a seed was planted.
Several years later, prompted by my wife's conversion to Christianity, I decided to check things out for myself. I began to probe the real meaning of those nativity scenes outside churches. I wanted to answer the most consequential question in history: Who was really in the manger that Christmas?
I expected to find that Christmas was built on legends that developed long after Jesus lived. I thought the virgin birth would be exposed as a fanciful myth. I didn't anticipate the opposite—that a thorough investigation of ancient history would validate the Christmas narrative based on reliable sources too immediate to dismiss as fiction.
What I discovered on that journey is the heartbeat of my Bible study, The Case for Christmas, and I'm excited to share that the community at FaithGateway is inviting us to the free online Bible study experience.
If you register today, you'll receive a free resource kit and access to my four companion video teachings.
Over four weeks, I'll help you:
- Know with confidence that what the Bible says about Jesus' birth is true
- Separate mythology from historical fact
- Consider the implications of the virgin birth
- Examine whether Jesus' identity as the Messiah is confirmed by prophecy
Together, we'll examine the evidence and experience the Christmas story like never before!
Whether you're new to faith or have been a Christian for decades, what you'll uncover will strengthen your faith—and equip you to more confidently share it with others.
And this is the perfect experience for unbelieving-yet-curious friends. Pray about who you might invite to join you on this journey.
Just as God used the Delgado family to open my heart to the gospel, He can use you to share Christ with your friends this Christmas.
I hope you'll join me on this adventure.
~Lee
