Christianity based on historical fact

Now here is a question: “How do you know Christianity isn't just a fairy tale made up by people to help them cope with hardship and death, and deal with life?”

The Apostle Peter gives two reasons. “Christianity is based on historical fact which had many eyewitnesses — and the record of Messianic prophecies which Jesus fulfilled.”

God says in Isaiah: “Here is how you will know I am the one true God, and those so — called 'gods,' are nothing: I will tell you the end from the beginning, I will tell you what will happen before it happens, and then when those things come to pass, that will be the proof to you that I am God.”

The Bible is one third prophecies — many about the coming Messiah — and of those, Jesus, fulfilled 332. The reason the Dead Sea Scrolls are so important, is they date to 100 years before Jesus was born. They weren't just prophecies that were either added, or taken away.

The chance that anyone could fulfill even eight of these, is one in 10 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. One person fulfilling 48 prophecies raises that to 10 to the 157th power. This evidence has been reviewed by renowned scientific groups.

I have heard it another way — if Texas were covered in 100 trillion silver dollars, that would be two feet deep. Only one coin is marked and thoroughly mixed. Then a blindfolded man is told to wander the state and randomly select a coin. What are the odds of him finding the coin on the first try? And that is just eight of over three hundred prophecies about Jesus.

For those who would like to research it, there is much more on the subject. As for the birth story ofJesus there may be some misconceptions. He was laid in a manger — which was likely limestone, and not wood. Angels announcing His birth to the shepherds out in the field — the text says the angel stood in front of them, and then others appeared. They may not have filled the sky — but the glory of God surely did. Angels are not fluffy things with wings. They are mighty warriors and messengers from God. Their appearance in the Bible on any occasion, brought great trembling — until they spoke and explained their message.

Believing the story of Jesus' birth — and the hundreds of prophecies concerning him — is ultimately up to each person. No one has to feel left out at Christmas. Jesus is the humble Savior of the world, who lived a humble life and died a humble death. But there is nothing humble about His rising to life — bringing resurrection for all who believe! That is too big to contain — and we do not need to. All we need to do is wait.

Carol Shirk Knapp is the author of "The Preacher's Kid" column.