The Mystery Of Christmas

48 Hours Goes To The Holy Land To Explore The Nativity

(CBS)  48 Hours brought Ben Witherington to Israel to make the case that the miracles of Christmas really happened.

Witherington took 48 Hours to the village of Capernaum. This is the home of St. Peter, where Jesus often stayed and preached.

“Well, as far as I'm concerned, this is X marks the spot. This is actually the place, really, where the Christian movement begins,” says Witherington.

He believes Matthew came here too, and actually interviewed relatives and the first followers of Jesus.

“And here's why Matthew is so important: he's literate. He's the perfect guy to write this down,” says Witherington.

Does he feel that the story gains validity from the fact that Matthew was here listening to the stories of Jesus?

“Yeah, I think there's the eyewitness component of it,” Witherington says.

Back in the holy city of Jerusalem, Witherington told 48 Hours that Luke’s Christmas story can also be trusted, since Luke got his version of Christmas from a key eyewitness.

Witherington believes Luke may have actually spoken with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

But why are the two accounts so different? Witherington says that, besides the inclination of the authors to write for different audiences, there could be a more simple explanation: cost.

“Papyrus was expensive. Scribes were exorbitantly expensive, and so they have to be very selective to get it on a single scroll,” he says.

That helps explain some of the apparent contradictions in the two Gospels. But what about those miracles?

To appreciate the Gospels the way the early Christians did, one must step back from the modern understanding of the world. In the time of Jesus, miracles and magic were a very real part of everyday life. And if one can at least accept the possibility of the supernatural, then it becomes possible to read the story of Christmas as more fact than fable.

“We like to tout ourselves as very open-minded, but in fact, in regard to this matter, the ancients were far more open-minded than we are,” says Witherington.

Back in Nazareth, Witherington says he believes the account in Luke that this is where the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the son of God.

Who was Mary?

“Well, we're talking about a small town girl here. And in early Judaism, an engagement in marriage was an arranged proposition between two sets of parents. So we shouldn't get too romantic about the story,” says Witherington.

At the time of the Annunciation, he says, Mary was very young, barely a teenager.

Witherington says the Annunciation took place in Nazareth, but he doesn’t know whether the event occurred at Mary’s home, as the Roman Catholics claim, or at a well, as Greek Orthodox tradition maintains.

“What happens is that an angel appears to her and says, ‘Something great is going to happen to you. You are going to be the mother of the Messiah,’" says Witherington.

Does he think there was some discussion about the issue?

“You're absolutely right that, you know, if Mary goes home to Mom and Dad and says, ‘Well, I've got good news and bad news. Here’s the good news. The good news I'm going to be the mother of the Messiah. The bad news is, I'm already pregnant. But, not to worry. I'm pregnant by means of the Holy Spirit.’ And, you know, if I'm a normal parent I'm going, ‘Uh-huh’. And where was Joseph when all this was happening?’” says Witherington. “You know, of course, there's a scandalous element to the story.”

And it’s precisely because the story was a public relations problem for the early Christians that he’s convinced the Gospel authors would never have made it up.

“You don't make up a story like this if we're dealing with an evangelistic religion that wants people to believe the story,” says Witherington. “The virginal conception is too improbable not to be true.”

But then, how did Mary and Joseph wind up 70 miles south in Bethlehem? Luke’s explanation is often disputed but Witherington believes it.

“They had to go back to their ancestral home in Bethlehem to register for the census,” he says.

Witherington says the census was ordered to collect taxes. No records of that census have ever been found. Still, when 48 Hours returned to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Witherington was sure he was in the right place.

“Well, we've got two distinct traditions, Matthew's Gospel and Luke's Gospel,” says Witherington.

Is it possible that these are stories that were compiled because the Jews wanted and needed the Messiah to have come from Bethlehem?

“Well, it's possible. But in a world of possibilities it’s not very probable, because we know how early Jews handled sacred traditions. You don't play fast and loose with the most essential parts of the story,” says Witherington.

But what happened when Jesus was born? Were there really wise men and shepherds?

[gwhoward1]

For Loree Phillips'' report of 12/25/07@ 11:19pm. I agree with your overall setiment regarding the Bible and it''s authenticity being of utmost importance. I would just like you to clear a slight error in your thnking. The John who is the son of Elizabeth is John the baptist, not the apostle John. The apostle''s writings of John the baptist, knowing Jesus to be the sinless Lamb of God, would certainly bring a sensible understanding that he knew everything pretaining to this revelation.

[teilhard8]

Having seen this special for the third time, it has really become benign from a theological point of view. All of the Gospels were written by groups of people over the course of at least 100 years after Christ, so there is plenty of room for conjecture.

I can honestly say from my contacts that no single church, including the Catholic Church, has the subject down pat. The information age (Internet) has allowed the vast sharing of information which is contrarian to the inculcated, indoctrinated responses most people have grown up with. I have yet to find any real continuity even among Catholic priests on their interpretations.

This special has given me one idea. John Dominic Crossan''s current address is one mile north of my parents, west of Orlando. He would certainly be an interesting person to look up.

Before I close, I wanted to wish Maureen Maher a belated Happy Birthday.

Lordy, lordy, now ALL 48 Hours correspondents have indeed, officially, turned...40!!!

[LKanner]

How sad... This program picks apart the New Testament, specifically the gospels without fair and balanced reporting! I watched it expecting it to attempt to unravel my faith (although I am not sure what good that would do). Having worked in PR for most of my life I can tell you this is an example of LAZY reporting. Producers find someone who has an opinion and will call them back! To have a balanced report would require that they double the number of interviews and the expense/time/effort that goes with it. Please know Ms. Maher and CBS producers you will have to answer for every soul lost resulting from your poor reporting...

Signed-
One Less CBS Viewer

[red8730]

If only the reporter did her homework or is she paid to be ignorant? Let%u2019s see if CBS will do a show on Islam and doubt some of Islam''s doctrine. Oh wait they can''t do that - they would be in fear for their lives.

Miss TV Reporter and those noted scholars forgot about this - It was prophesied some 500 years earlier that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem.

Mat 2:5 And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea. For so it is written by the prophet,
Mat 2:6 "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the governors of Judah. For out of you shall come a Governor who shall rule My people Israel."

Shall we talk about the 100 other prophesizes of the Christ?

CBS is a joke if it considers itself a reliable source of information. Its not.

[jeff-fla]

Why is this story a bad one?
Because x-mas just might be make believe?

No story from the bible can be untrue?

Here are two.

Moses

Exodus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exodus

Humm makes you think?

[jeff-fla]

Why is this story a bad one?
Because x-mas just might be make believe?

No story from the bible can be untrue?

Here are two.

Moses

Exodus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exodus

Humm makes you think?

[crtclthnkr]

As a "hard reporter" you have to be polite and respectful to those you are postulating against, or else they might recognize your cloying, hit-and-run approach and realize this is not a soft interview. So what if it is a one-sided essay and not an objective report? To air this on Christmas Day is a direct challenge to believers. So what? It''s OK to insult Christians, and even popular, so let''s go with it. The question a lot of us have is "What Is The Point, CBS and Ms. Maher? To real believers, the miracles are seen every day in changed lives; not how big a car God got us, or how prosperous we''ve become as Christians, or how big the Fish sticker on our car is, but how our attitudes have been changed by God''s Grace by our Reconciliation to Him through Christ''s Birth and Sacrifice. No matter what anyone says, or how cynically non-believers try to stretch the Truth, NOTHING can change that. What IS the point, CBS?

[crtclthnkr]

How respectful Maureen Maher is! Let''s see: A beautiful story, yes. But is it true? Let''s investigate. Of course the only way to get a true investigation is to go to the "Theologians" who really don''t believe the biblical record of Jesus'' birth. That''s the "hard reporting" way.

[xpagan]

You all beat me to it. I also was appauled at the program and I truthfully can not believe that CBS would air such a biased opinion of a religious holiday on that holiday. However, I am also encouraged to think that we are being persecuted (ever so little) in our own country. This is nothing brothers and sisters, keep the faith and tell everyone what the truth is.

God Bless and Merry Christmas,
xpagan

[schmoog1970]

For once I would like an investigative reporting program, which is attempting to unravel the mysteries of Christianity, to do an actual thorough job. Why do you choose to only quote from liberal theologians? At the minimum, why not choose those on both sides of the argument and let the audience decide? You would do well to include some of the scholars that investigative reporter Lee Strobel, formal legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, has interviewed to answer some of the questions you asked in his book "The Case For Christmas". If you would have you and your audience could have seen that there is excellent proof for the census that was taken at the time of Quirinius, governor of Syria which would have forced Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem (and not Nazareth); or proof that the gospels are very accurate historically. Luke for instance is very meticulous in his descriptions and time and again archeology has confirmed his writings.

Next time please do a more thorough job of actual investigative journalism and then truth will speak for itself.

Signed,

A concerned viewer.

[schmoog1970]

For once I would like an investigative reporting program, which is attempting to unravel the mysteries of Christianity, to do an actual thorough job. Why do you choose to only quote from liberal theologians? At the minimum, why not choose those on both sides of the argument and let the audience decide? You would do well to include some of the scholars that investigative reporter Lee Strobel, formal legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, has interviewed to answer some of the questions you asked in his book "The Case For Christmas". If you would have you and your audience could have seen that there is excellent proof for the census that was taken at the time of Quirinius, governor of Syria which would have forced Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem (and not Nazareth); or proof that the gospels are very accurate historically. Luke for instance is very meticulous in his descriptions and time and again archeology has confirmed his writings.

Next time please do a more thorough job of actual investigative journalism and then truth will speak for itself.

Signed,

A concerned viewer.

[schmoog1970]

For once I would like an investigative reporting program, which is attempting to unravel the mysteries of Christianity, to do an actual thorough job. Why do you choose to only quote from liberal theologians? At the minimum, why not choose those on both sides of the argument and let the audience decide? You would do well to include some of the scholars that investigative reporter Lee Strobel, formal legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, has interviewed to answer some of the questions you asked in his book "The Case For Christmas". If you would have you and your audience could have seen that there is excellent proof for the census that was taken at the time of Quirinius, governor of Syria which would have forced Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem (and not Nazareth); or proof that the gospels are very accurate historically. Luke for instance is very meticulous in his descriptions and time and again archeology has confirmed his writings.

Next time please do a more thorough job of actual investigative journalism and then truth will then speak for itself.

Signed,

A concerned viewer.

[schmoog1970]

For once I would like an investigative reporting program, which is attempting to unravel the mysteries of Christianity, to do an actual thorough job. Why do you choose to only quote from liberal theologians? Why not choose those on both sides of the arguments and let the audience decide? You would do well to include some of the scholars that investigative reporter Lee Strobel, formal legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, has interviewed to answer some of the questions you asked in his book "The Case For Christmas". If you would have you and your audience could have seen that there is excellent proof for the census that was taken at the time of Quirinius, governor of Syria which would have forced Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem (and not Nazareth); or proof that the gospels are very accurate historically. Luke for instance is very meticulous in his descriptions and time and again archeology has confirmed his writings.

Next time please do a more thorough job of actual investigative journalism.

Signed,

A concerned viewer.

[schmoog1970]

For once I would like an investigative reporting program, which is attempting to unravel the mysteries of Christianity, to do an actual thorough job. Why do you choose to only quote from liberal theologians? Why not choose those on both sides of the arguments and let the audience decide? You would do well to include some of the scholars that investigative reporter Lee Strobel, formal legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, has interviewed to answer some of the questions you asked in his book "The Case For Christmas". If you would have you and your audience could have seen that there is excellent proof for the census that was taken at the time of Quirinius, governor of Syria which would have forced Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem (and not Nazareth); or proof that the gospels are very accurate historically. Luke for instance is very meticulous in his descriptions and time and again archeology has confirmed his writings.

Next time please do a more thorough job of actual investigative journalism.

Signed,

A concerned viewer.

[schmoog1970]

For once I would like an investigative reporting program, which is attempting to unravel the mysteries of Christianity, to do an actual thorough job. Why do you choose to only quote from liberal theologians? Why not choose those on both sides of the arguments and let the audience decide? You would do well to include some of the scholars that investigative reporter Lee Strobel, formal legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, has interviewed to answer some of the questions you asked in his book "The Case For Christmas". If you would have you and your audience could have seen that there is excellent proof for the census that was taken at the time of Quirinius, governor of Syria which would have forced Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem (and not Nazareth); or proof that the gospels are very accurate historically. Luke for instance is very meticulous in his descriptions and time and again archeology has confirmed his writings.

Next time please do a more thorough job of actual investigative journalism.

Signed,

A concerned viewer.

[mss0603]

The birth "divine'' or not?? It is your faith it really does''nt matter what anyone thinks. As stated, whether it is divine or not, you have to know that this belief has withstood the test of time. When you are in high school, every student asks "Why do I need to take a history class, it''s alrady happened??" Every teacher answers the same "Because history has a way of repeating itself.."
Just like in the days of JESUS, you have believers and non believers. As you read these comments by people, it seems to kinda be repeating itself, don''t you think? There will come a day when all questions shall be answered..I pray that we are all happy with the answer../. As for stabbing at Islam and other religions, I really don''t care to even here about any more of it. The Muslims are proving their beliefs everyday. Remember, any publisity is good publisity. God Bless..

[jubas7]

After a long and joyous holiday, celebrating our Savior''s birth, with my family, I settled in to watch with interest your 48 hr segment. I was horrified by the way the children were "grilled" about their beliefs and the correspondance continued questioning of these little children whether they believed the "story" of Christ''s birth was fictitious. What a horror and insult. Why didn''t the authorities of this Catholic school throw your crew out? You are no longer welcome in my home.

[rsmsd]

Thank you, thank you ... for having the courage once again to air this beautiful program. I am encouraged and revitalized by theologians like Crossan. He is an inspiration to me. I thank him, and I thank you, for enriching our faith with history. It can be easy sometimes to think historical accuracy conflicts with faith. This need not be so. Programs like this bless my life and renew my hope for Christianity.

[fload46d]

This is a bunch of hogwash! The Communists have nothing on you people! Whenever they started their program in a country they had to destroy real Catholicism and this is how they did it. With lots of lies. Why don''t you also do a show on the fraud of Islam, Protestantism and modern Judaism?

[w2gt]

What I find amusing is psy_war%u2019s stab at Christians who %u201Cbegin to lose [their faith] the minute anyone challenges the admittedly contradictory and ahistorical gospel accounts of Jesus.%u201D He wants to be able to throw a few punches at Christians while dismissing any rebuttal of admittedly biased and ahistorical reporting as evidence of Christians wavering in their faith. As your web board name indicates, this is a psychological war being waged here, but don%u2019t be so insulting as to think that this is mostly about the weak-minded Christians fearful about their own faith. This is about the battle for the minds and souls of non-believers. They watch programs such as these that prominently display %u201Cscholars%u201D, all complete with libraries of books behind them, that debunk the Biblical accounts while the only rebuttal comes from a lone Christian being interviewed at times with stained glassed backgrounds. They walk away from such programs never investigating any further the issues raised, assuming they have already been settled by true %u201Cscholars.%u201D

psy_war is also right. We Christians need to calm down. Debates in this forum rarely get read by such impressionable nonbelievers as only the impassioned from opposite sides that find their way to these sites to do battle.