Christmas is to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. Did it really happen? Is it rooted in history?
Let us affirm that Christmas is not only a matter of faith but also of history.
First, the historical context confirms the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:1-3 “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.”
The reign of Caesar Augustus (27 BC – AD 14) is well-documented in Roman history. He was known for administrative reforms, including censuses for taxation purposes.
The mention of Quirinius as governor of Syria aligns with historical accounts of Roman governance.
We are thankful of the attention of Luke to historical details (names, places, decrees) so that we can corroborate it in other sources.
The birth of Jesus occurred at a specific time in history. It reminds us that God’s plan unfolds in real-world settings, involving actual people, events, and places.
Second, eyewitness accounts verify the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:8-20 “So they (the shepherds) hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”
The shepherds were the first to see and testify about the birth of Jesus. Their encounter with the angels and subsequent visit to the manger provided firsthand confirmation.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the key eyewitness. Luke 2:19 highlights that she “treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart,” pointing to her role in preserving the details of the nativity story.
Mary was alive when the New Testament church started. She was the one who provided the details to the writers of the Gospels.
The early church also preserved these accounts with writings such as those by Justin Martyr and Origen affirming the narrative of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
Moreover, secular historians like Tacitus and Josephus, while not mentioning the nativity explicitly, corroborate the existence of Jesus and the influence of early Christianity.
This Christmas, may we celebrate not only with faith but also with the assurance that the Savior who came into this world is real. Just as God entered human history then, He continues to work in our lives today. | NWI
