Podcast Summary

I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

Host: Dr. Frank Turek
Episode: Behind the Scenes at #AmFest2025 PLUS Fascinating Christmas Traditions with Bill Federer
Date: December 23, 2025

Main Theme

This special Christmas episode blends a behind-the-scenes recap of AmFest 2025—a major annual conservative event hosted by TPUSA in Phoenix—with an in-depth historical exploration of Christmas traditions with noted historian Bill Federer. Dr. Frank Turek reflects on the event’s spiritual and cultural impact, and shares personal stories related to the Christian faith, mission, and responding to adversity. The episode’s second half, a replay of a fan-favorite with Bill Federer, uncovers the surprising origins and Christian connections behind Christmas customs including Santa Claus, stockings, reindeer, holiday dates, and the Christmas tree.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Behind the Scenes at AmFest 2025

• Event Overview:

  • Attended by 30,000, with notable speakers (Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, Vice President Vance, Megan Kelly, Greg Laurie, Ali Beth Stuckey, Riley Gaines, Nicki Minaj, etc.) ([00:03])
  • Openness to differing conservative views; no censorship despite disagreements (Shapiro & Carlson)
  • Erica Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, organized and hosted, displaying resilience despite personal tragedy ([00:03–04:00])

• Panels, Interviews, Initiatives:

  • Frank participated in panel sessions and media interviews (Fox News, Daily Wire, Bryce Crawford’s podcast). ([04:00])
  • Promoting Saturate USA, a non-profit encouraging door-to-door evangelism, and the central church mission to “make disciples.”
  • Notable observation by Dennis Prager: “Even if you’re not a Christian, you should want strong Christian influence in your community.” ([05:27])

• Personal Reflections on Loss and Legacy:

  • Frank recounts the impact events of Charlie Kirk’s murder and how “impact events” change perspectives ([11:15])
  • The Christian hope: “If Christianity is true... people don’t die, they just change location.” ([12:53])
  • Addressing slander and false accusations around the tragedy, directly challenging internet personalities like Candace Owens ([15:26])

• Upcoming Tours and Ministry:

  • Continuing the “Prove Me Wrong” Q&A tour and launching a “Make Heaven Crowded” city tour in 2026 ([09:18–11:00])
  • Emphasizing giving/donations go 100% to ministry and student outreach ([10:13])

2. Fascinating Christmas Traditions with Bill Federer

([20:38] onward)

Origins of St. Nicholas/Santa Claus

• Historical St. Nicholas:

  • Born c.280 AD, Asia Minor (Turkey); parents died of plague, left Nicholas wealthy ([20:41])
  • Practiced secret gift-giving: tossed coins/dowries into poor families’ homes at night, inspiring the stocking/fireplace tradition
  • “He wanted the glory to go to God, not to him.” — Bill Federer ([24:11])
  • Patron saint of pawnbrokers (origin of pawn shop’s three-ball symbol)
  • Became Bishop of Myra amid Roman persecution; imprisoned by Diocletian
  • Legend: slapped the heretic Arius at the Council of Nicaea—“Jolly old St. Nick had a little temper!” ([35:28])

• Spread and Evolution:

  • Nicholas’s bones moved to Bari, Italy, after Muslim invasions; Pope Urban II dedicated the church ([40:36])
  • Gift-giving customs spread across Europe. St. Francis of Assisi created the first nativity scene to refocus on Christ’s birth ([41:10])

From Saints to Santa

• Martin Luther’s Role:
  • Protestants shifted gift-giving to December 25, emphasizing gifts from the Christ child (“Christkindl,” becomes “Kris Kringle”) ([43:03])
• England and ‘Father Christmas’:
  • After Reformation, English outlawed “St. Nicholas” in favor of “Father Christmas”—adapted from pagan Saturnalia ([43:42])
  • Puritans in Massachusetts fined Christmas celebrators ([46:50])
• Dutch Influence in America:
  • “Santa Claus” = Dutch “Sinterklaas”; customs brought to New Amsterdam (New York) ([48:00])
• American Christmas Traditions:
  • Poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (Clement Moore, 1823): “’Twas the night before Christmas…” ([50:15])
  • Political cartoonist Thomas Nast (Harper’s Weekly) depicted Santa at the North Pole during Civil War—a dig at the Confederacy ([52:41])
  • Coca-Cola ads (1930s) solidified the red-suited, rosy-cheeked image

Origins of Other Christmas Traditions

• Christmas Trees:
  • St. Boniface (Germany, 8th c.) chopped down Thor’s oak; replaced with evergreen, symbolizing Christ ([57:44])
  • Martin Luther, inspired by starry sky, set candles in tree branches
• Christmas Date (Dec. 25):
  • Based on calculations from Luke’s Gospel and temple priestly service order, reinforced by Dead Sea Scrolls research ([55:29])
• Twelve Days of Christmas:
  • Created to bridge Greek Orthodox (Epiphany, Jan. 6) and Western (Christmas, Dec. 25) calendars. “Holiday” comes from “holy days.” ([38:07])
• Holy Days and Holidays:
  • “If you say ‘Happy Holidays’, you’re saying ‘Merry Christmas’ by another name.” ([39:24])

On Celebrating Christmas with Pagan Influences

• “We’re celebrating the birth of Christ… He voluntarily submitted himself to be the Lamb and to take the punishment.” — Bill Federer ([61:17])
• “Your intention is to bring people back to the real reason for the season, and that is Christ the Lamb.” — Frank Turek ([62:16])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Frank Turek, on Christian influence:
  “If for no other reason, we ought to… want a strong Christian influence in your community because it tends to civilize people.” ([05:27])
• Bill Federer, on St. Nicholas:
  “He wanted the glory to go to God, not to him. And so this is the origin of the tradition of secret gift giving on the anniversary of Nicholas’s death.” ([24:11])
• On transformation of traditions:
  “Santa Claus is coming from the North Pole… prior to that it was always, you know, Celestial City, New Jerusalem, heaven.” — Bill Federer ([52:41])
• The heart of Christmas:
  “He has to judge every sin… but he’s loving, that he provided the Lamb to take the judgment for the sin. That’s why we approach God through the Lamb. So I’m like, are you good enough to go to heaven? No, you’ll never be good enough. But he was good enough to pay for all your sins.” — Bill Federer ([61:17])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AmFest 2025 Recap & Reflections: [00:03] – [19:22]
  • Charlie Kirk’s legacy, ministry future, and controversies: [11:15]–[19:04]
• Christmas Traditions with Bill Federer: [20:38] – [62:50]
  • St. Nicholas’s history & traditions: [20:41]–[37:18]
  • Greek/Russian Orthodox differences & twelve days of Christmas: [37:18]–[40:36]
  • Evolution of Christmas in the West: [41:10]–[52:11]
  • Santa Claus in American culture: [52:41]–[55:07]
  • Why December 25?: [55:29]
  • Christmas trees and symbols: [57:41]–[60:49]
  • Should Christians celebrate Christmas despite pagan roots?: [61:17]

Tone & Takeaways

Frank Turek maintains a tone of encouragement, conviction, and candor—particularly around living the gospel and responding to slander in times of loss. Bill Federer brings immense enthusiasm and scholarly detail, delighting in the “chain of custody” from Christian origins to modern traditions, while always steering the focus back to Christ.

Takeaway:
While many Christmas customs have complex or even secularized histories, they began with and remain rooted in Christianity’s core themes: generosity, redemption, community, and commemorating the birth of Christ. Understanding their origins can deepen—and not diminish—their meaning for believers today.