Podcast Episode 42
CHRIST-Myths
When Was Jesus Born and Who were the Magi
with Nick Walters
This Week in Christian History features a Deep Dive conversation with Nick Walters, founder of the Center for Christian History at Mississippi College. In this episode, Walters turns attention to two of the most enduring questions that arise every December: why the Christian tradition observes the birth of Jesus on December 25, and how the story of the Magi developed into one of the most recognizable features of the Christmas season. Rather than attempting to recreate the unknown details of the Nativity, the conversation explores how early Christians interpreted Scripture, how varying calendars shaped their understanding of sacred time, and how later Christian communities embraced specific dates to give structure to worship, celebration, and remembrance.
Another focus of this Deep Dive is the long history behind the Magi, the visitors described in the Gospel of Matthew who traveled from the East to honor the newborn Jesus. Across Christian history, their identity has been interpreted in many ways. They have been seen as scholars, astronomers, priests, nobles, and symbols of the nations who would one day acknowledge Christ. Over the centuries, Christian tradition gradually attached names, numbers, and iconography to the Magi, even though the biblical account gives only limited detail. The conversation highlights how their journey came to represent the search for truth, the recognition of Christ’s kingship, and the universal reach of the gospel. Through these layers of tradition, the Magi emerged not just as figures in a story but as reminders of how Christian communities across cultures and eras expressed devotion through art, music, liturgy, and storytelling.
The Nativity setting itself also receives attention, especially the role of Joseph and Mary within the broader Christian understanding of Jesus’ birth. Christian history has long emphasized Mary’s faithfulness, her response to God’s call, and her place within salvation history. The doctrine known as the Immaculate Conception, which became formalized in the Roman Catholic Church, reflects a particular theological interpretation about Mary’s conception and her preservation from original sin. While not a universal teaching across all Christian traditions, it has significantly shaped the devotional and artistic representation of Mary, influencing how Christians have imagined the Holy Family, the birth of Jesus, and the purity, obedience, and courage associated with Mary’s witness. Joseph, too, has been remembered for his righteousness, protection of the infant Jesus, and humble obedience to God’s direction. These themes give deeper historical context and grounding to the familiar Christmas imagery that continues to surround the season.
Alongside the Deep Dive, Episode 42 presents three historical highlights drawn from the same week in Christian history. One highlight examines the founding of "The American Minerva," the early American newspaper established by Noah Webster. Its role in shaping civic and moral conversation in the early United States reflects the intertwined nature of public life, print culture, and the Christian worldview of many early American thinkers. A second highlight recalls the publication of the lyrics to "Silent Night," the hymn that has become perhaps the most widely recognized Christmas carol worldwide. Its simple message of peace and divine presence has made it a fixture in Christian worship and cultural celebration. The third highlight focuses on Peter Martyr Vermigli, an important Reformation theologian whose scholarship influenced Protestant communities far beyond his native Italy. His writings helped shape the development of Reformed theology and contributed to the broader intellectual movement transforming Europe during the sixteenth century.
The image used for this episode’s thumbnail is a public-domain depiction of the Adoration of the Magi, available through Wikimedia Commons and sourced from classic collections of Nativity artwork. This image is free to use without restriction.
