Christmas History and Washington’s Revolutionary Crossing

On December 30, 2024, Bill Federer and Ben Martin joined the show. Federer traces the historical evidence for December 25th as Christ’s birth date using biblical texts and archaeological discoveries, then explains the development of the Christian liturgical calendar and the true story of St Martin recounts the critical New Jersey campaign of 1776-1777, including Washington’s strategic planning, the betrayals by subordinate.

The Historical Origins of Christmas

Start listening at 1:59 – Hour 1

Bill Federer, creator of American Minute and prolific author, traces the historical evidence for December 25th as the date of Christ’s birth. Federer explains how scholars determined the date through careful analysis of biblical texts, particularly the Gospel of Luke’s account of Zechariah serving in the priestly division of Abijah.

Using the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, which revealed the Sacerdotal Rota System of priestly service, Federer demonstrates how the conception of John the Baptist can be dated to September 23rd, placing the Annunciation to Mary on March 25th, exactly nine months before December 25th. He also debunks common myths about the date being chosen to overlap pagan holidays, noting that church fathers mentioned December 25th as Christ’s birthday well before the Roman Emperor Aurelian established Sol Invictus in 274 A.D.

“It’s like the whole world for 1,400 years was prepared for this one week, this one day, Pentecost, boom, end of the week. It’s all over the world.”

– Bill Federer, Historian and Creator of American Minute

Federer continues by explaining the development of the Christian liturgical calendar, including Advent, the 12 days of Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Pentecost. He describes how the Council of Tours in 567 A.D. established the 12 days between December 25th and January 6th as holy days, and how the Jewish feasts were fulfilled through Christ’s life and the early church.

The Real St. Nicholas Behind Santa Claus

Start listening at 49:48 – Hour 1

Federer shares the remarkable true story of St. Nicholas, the most popular Greek Orthodox saint, born in 280 A.D. during Roman persecution. Nicholas gave away his wealth anonymously to the poor, reportedly tossing money through windows where it would land in stockings hung by fireplaces. His December 6th death became a gift-giving tradition that spread through Russia, survived the Reformation’s elimination of saints’ days, and eventually evolved into modern Christmas traditions.

Washington’s Pivotal New Jersey Campaign

Start listening at 58:59 – Hour 2

In the second hour, Ben Martin, a patriotic historian, West Point graduate, and former Army Ranger, examines the New Jersey campaign of 1776-1777, a critical turning point in America’s Revolutionary War. Martin explains how Washington faced the largest contingent of British forces ever to land on American shores, over 40,000 soldiers and hundreds of warships, yet maintained his focus on what he called the glorious cause.

Washington divided his army into four parts, assigning the largest portion to General Lee while taking the smallest force himself to serve as bait for the pursuing British. Despite being undermined by General Lee, who ignored repeated orders to bring reinforcements, and General Gates, who refused to participate in the coming attack, Washington pressed forward with plans for a decisive strike.

“So Washington’s response to all of this, you know, when you think, oh, he’s depressed, he can’t do anything and stuff like that, his response is, we’re going to win. So they fight the first battle of Trenton, and he uses as his challenge and password victory or death. That’s how important he thought this was, you know, to turn the whole scope of the war around.”

– Ben Martin, Patriotic Historian and Former Army Ranger

Martin describes how Washington orchestrated the famous Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River. Despite a blizzard that prevented three of the four planned crossings, Washington’s main force successfully crossed using Durham boats transported by Colonel John Glover’s intrepid Marblehead mariners. The Continental Army then marched through freezing conditions, leaving bloody footprints in the snow, to achieve a stunning victory over Hessian forces at Trenton, demonstrating that perseverance and resolve could overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.