Dear Nerd,

When you say "most historians", I find it confusing. Would you cite a few references? The Romans kept remarkable records and a remarkable lot of them have survived. There is no one mentioned who parallels the biblical Jesus. This is not proof of anything, of course, but it is evidence. The gospels, which are supposed to have some of the best evidence, sometimes read as though written by a Martian who knew nothing of Roman law and custom. For example, the idea of Joseph and Mary traveling to register for a "great census"; sorry, no way. One registered at the nearest city. You didn't even have to go yourself.

Whether real or not; no one can say for certain. It is certain that there is no convincing proof. Even our "pilgrim forefathers" knbew that the Christmas storey was bunk. That's why they locked people up for celebrating it.