Podcast Summary: "Examining the Evidence of Christmas"

Podcast: Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Host: Jim Daly (with John Fuller)
Guest: Lee Strobel
Episode Date: December 1, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode welcomes renowned former investigative journalist and Christian apologist Lee Strobel to explore the historical and evidential foundation for the Christmas story. Together with hosts Jim Daly and John Fuller, Strobel discusses evidence for the birth of Jesus, addresses skepticism about the nativity narratives, compares sources of antiquity, and encourages listeners to engage with the true meaning of Christmas amid commercialization and doubt. The conversation is both accessible to skeptics and affirming for believers, focusing on how evidence and personal experience intersect in the Christian faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lee Strobel’s Personal Journey from Atheism to Faith

• Strobel recounts his initial hostility toward Christianity, describing how his wife’s newfound faith spurred his investigation to “debunk” Christianity.

• Quote [04:21]:

  "Your wife Leslie had become a Christian before you, and you're like, I'm going to prove this wrong and set her straight."
  (Jim Daly to Lee Strobel)

• Strobel draws parallels between investigative journalism and spiritual inquiry, highlighting his approach: “Who, what, where, and how” ([03:58]).

2. Historical Reliability of the Christmas Story

• Eyewitness Accounts: Strobel points to early, first-century sources for the events around Jesus' birth, emphasizing the reliability of the Gospels—especially Luke and Matthew ([04:32]).

• Quote [04:32]:

  "When you look at the sources of information we have that provide the details of the birth of Jesus, they are compelling... Luke was sort of an investigative reporter in the first century."
  (Lee Strobel)

• Gospel Differences and Complements: Luke narrates from Mary’s perspective, Matthew from Joseph’s, providing different but harmonious details.

• Mark’s Subtle Reference: Mark’s use of “Mary’s son” rather than “Joseph’s son” hints at the extraordinary nature of Jesus’ birth ([05:51]).

• Gospels Written Within Living Memory:

  • Mark predates Luke, both written within decades of Jesus’ death.
  • Early creeds, e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:3–7, date to within months of the crucifixion, presenting resurrection claims from the earliest Christian community ([13:21]–[14:47]).

3. Responding to Skepticism and Cultural Objections

• Virgin Birth Debate:

  • Strobel references Dr. William Lane Craig’s scientific reflection about the virgin birth, ultimately pointing to the logic that if God created the universe, a virgin birth is a small miracle by comparison ([06:48]).
  • Quote [07:17]:

    “If God can bring a universe into existence, he can create the Y chromosome in Mary so she could give birth to a male child. That would be like child's play.”
    (Lee Strobel)

• Legend vs. History:

  • The claim that the Gospel accounts are legends is systematically challenged by Strobel, who cites both the volume and timing of manuscript evidence relative to other ancient sources such as Homer ([13:01], [15:31]).
  • Within two generations, legends are unlikely to supplant core historical truth—here, the Gospels and creeds were contemporaneous with eyewitnesses.

• Copycat Myth Theory Debunked:

  • Strobel tackles claims that Christianity borrows from pagan myths like Mithras, dismantling similarities (virgin birth, disciples, resurrection) with historical and mythological analysis ([16:13]–[17:27]).
  • Quote [17:06]:

    “Not only that, but he [Mithras] didn't die for world peace. He's known for killing a bull. And there's no record of him ever dying. There's no myth about his death, therefore no resurrection.”
    (Lee Strobel)

4. The Transformative Power of Faith: Story of the Delgado Family

• Story Recap ([07:47]–[10:35]):

  • As an atheist reporter, Strobel encountered a destitute family (the Delgados) during a holiday assignment. Despite their poverty, they exhibited profound faith and generosity, even giving away gifts they received.
  • Their joy and reliance not on material wealth but faith in Christ profoundly impacted Strobel’s view of Christianity, showing its relational and transformative power.
  • Quote [09:37]:

    “We cannot have plenty while our neighbors have nothing. This is what Jesus would want us to do.”
    (Perfecta Delgado, via Lee Strobel)

• Strobel reflects that for him the Delgados' attitude showed “God is real, and if he is real, he's a relational God. And if he is a relational God, he will change our perspective and change our lives as he had the Delgados.” ([11:01])

5. Heart and Head: The Rational and Relational Aspects of Faith

• Daly and Strobel emphasize both the emotional (heart) and intellectual (head) journey to faith, recalling classroom experiences where the very mention of Jesus was dismissed as myth ([11:53]).
• Quote [11:53]:

  “You have the heart part where you believe... But you have your head, too, and you're looking at data, trying to figure out, could this be real, etc.”
  (Jim Daly)

6. Commercialization, Tradition, and Keeping Christ in Christmas

• Spiritual Openings During the Holidays:

  • Strobel notes that despite commercialization, people are more spiritually open at Christmas, making it a prime opportunity for Christians to share faith ([18:14]).
  • Suggests practical family traditions: reading Gospel accounts of the nativity, discussing the historical context, and engaging children’s curiosity ([19:10]–[19:42]).

• Why December 25th?

  • Explains historical theories for the date’s selection (winter solstice, conception/death linkage), while stressing the actual birth date’s lack of spiritual importance ([20:26]–[22:25]).

7. External Historical Evidence

• Reference to non-biblical sources:
  • Josephus and other ancient historians provide substantial corroboration for Jesus’ life and crucifixion.
  • Dr. Gary Habermas has cataloged 110 facts about Jesus in non-Christian ancient documents ([22:51]).

8. Core Gospel Message Summarized

• Strobel summarizes the gospel in Romans 6:23 ([24:21]):
  • Quote [24:21]:

    "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord... if we receive that gift in a prayer of repentance and faith, we can have confidence that when we close our eyes for the last time in this world, will open them in the presence of God for eternity."
    (Lee Strobel)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• [04:32] Lee Strobel: “When you look at the sources of information we have that provide the details of the birth of Jesus, they are compelling... Luke was sort of an investigative reporter in the first century."
• [07:17] Lee Strobel: “If God can bring a universe into existence, he can create the Y chromosome in Mary so she could give birth to a male child. That would be like child's play."
• [09:37] Perfecta Delgado (via Strobel): “We cannot have plenty while our neighbors have nothing. This is what Jesus would want us to do.”
• [11:01] Lee Strobel: “God is real, and if he is real, he's a relational God. And if he is a relational God, he will change our perspective and change our lives as he had the Delgados.”
• [13:21] Lee Strobel: “We have creeds of the earliest church... that go back even earlier. For instance, First Corinthians 15... that says Jesus died. Why? For our sins. He was buried, on the third day, he rose from the dead.”
• [17:06] Lee Strobel: “Not only that, but he [Mithras] didn't die for world peace. He's known for killing a bull. And there's no record of him ever dying... therefore no resurrection.”
• [18:14] Lee Strobel: “People are more spiritually open during the Christmas season than any other time of the year. And so here's a real opportunity for us as Christians...”
• [24:21] Lee Strobel: "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:30–03:00: Introductions, Strobel’s background and method
• 04:21–05:51: Investigating the factual basis of the Christmas story
• 06:48–07:43: Addressing the virgin birth from a scientific and theological perspective
• 07:47–11:01: The Delgado Family story and faith’s transformative power
• 13:01–15:47: Dating the Gospels and discussion of legend vs. eyewitness history
• 16:13–17:27: Dismantling the “copycat myth” argument (Mithras, etc.)
• 18:14–19:42: Navigating commercialization, practical tips for parents
• 20:26–22:25: Origins of the December 25th date and early church traditions
• 22:49–23:11: External evidence for Jesus’ existence
• 24:21–25:48: The heart of the Christian Gospel

Tone & Style

• Warm, conversational, and enthusiastic.
• Strobel combines personal vulnerability with journalist rigor.
• Hosts are pastoral, practical, and encouraging—emphasizing family engagement and biblical truth.

Conclusion

This episode provides a concise, engaging, and comprehensive defense of the Christmas narrative’s reliability, blending investigative scholarship with stories of faith that invite both skeptics and believers to consider—or reconsider—the person of Jesus. Through historical evidence, personal reflections, and actionable insights, listeners are challenged to examine the meaning of Christmas as more than tradition, but as a historic, life-changing event.

For Further Exploration:

• Lee Strobel’s book: The Case for Christmas
• Resources and discussion guides available at Focus on the Family’s website