Eight Reasons the Christmas Story is True

This week's blog post is a lightly edited transcript of my Christmas Eve message. I hope you find this encouraging! Next week, we'll continue our journey through the 66 books of the Bible by looking at the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel.

I believe the Christmas story is true because...

1. It's historically accurate
We have over five thousand Greek New Testament manuscripts of various lengths. Despite being written by multiple authors over a period of about 1500 years, there is incredible unity and consistency in the message of all 66 books. I firmly believe that when read properly, there's not a single contradiction in Scripture. Lastly, Luke was a careful historian himself. He tells us of the great care that he took in the opening verses of his gospel (1:1-4). This was shortly before giving us the account of Jesus' birth, which includes geographical and historical references and descriptions of eyewitness accounts of the event. Luke's account of the Christmas story also harmonizes with that of Matthew's, who tells us of the visit from the Magi, Herod's plot to kill the infant children, and the holy family's flight to Egypt. The Christmas story is true because of the historical accuracy of Luke and the entire Bible.

2. It's in fulfillment of prophecy
The book of Isaiah was written 700 years before the birth of Christ. But in Isaiah 7:14 we see something remarkable as we read about the virgin birth of Immanuel (God with us). We also read of his prophesied birth in Bethlehem in Micah 5:2. The Christmas story is true because it fulfilled prophecy.

3. The Bible tells me so
This may seem circular to some, but one reason I believe the Bible is true is because the Bible tells me that it's the Word of God and free of error. As God's final Word, there's no higher authority upon which to base the truthfulness of Scripture. So I believe the Christmas story because the Bible tells me it's true.

4. The name of Christ is spoken around the world
Even the secular world sings of Jesus Christ during the Christmas season. They watch movies that do the same, decorate their homes with nativity scenes, and say the name of Christ every time they say merry Christmas. Of course, this doesn't mean that they're submitting to or acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord. But there is a sense of irony in the air as even unbelievers unintentionally lend credibility to the truthfulness of the Christmas story. If Jesus never existed or was simply a decent man who lived in the first century, why do we still sing and declare His name today, two thousand years later?

5. It brings intuitive hope
During Christmas time, there seems to be a unique sense of hope in the world. Of course, people enjoy shopping, gift-giving, Christmas music, hot cocoa, and gingerbread cookies. But I think there's something more. During the Christmas season, unbelievers are brought into contact with Christians and churches that exalt the name of Christ in an especially prominent way as we celebrate the incarnation.

6. The story is unique
It's about a God who saves helpless sinners in an extraordinary way. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem and was found by a group of shepherds lying in a manger, a feeding trough of all things. This was the unexpected way in which God brought the King of Kings into this world. This was the plan of an all-powerful, perfectly wise God and not a fiction created by man.

7. Lives are changed forever
If you're unfamiliar with the rest of the story of Jesus, it goes like this. He grew up, lived a sinless life, died on a Roman cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Those who believe in Jesus, trusting in Him alone for their salvation, are given eternal life and become a new person in Christ. I think we all know people whose transformed lives stand as a witness to the truthfulness of the Word of God, which includes the Christmas story.

8. We need it to be
If the Christmas story isn't true, then we have no lasting hope and no salvation. All of creation tells you there is a Creator, and your conscience tells you that you've sinned against Him. Everyone is without excuse and in need of a savior. Thankfully, this savior did come in the person of Jesus in the most unexpected of ways two thousand years ago. So the last reason the Christmas story is true is because we need it to be to have lasting hope, peace, and eternal life.