What if everything you’ve been told about Christmas being “pagan” is actually backwards?
I sat down with Julie West Worth Remembering - Bible teacher, media personality, and genuine treasure trove of biblical and historical knowledge - for one of the most intellectually satisfying conversations I’ve had about faith, Christmas traditions, and the beautiful complexity of Scripture.
This isn’t another surface-level holiday discussion. Julie and I dive deep into the actual historical origins of Christmas traditions, unpacking myths that get repeated year after year, and discovering how God invites us to use our minds - not shut them off - when approaching His Word.
What You’ll Discover in This Conversation
The Real Story Behind Christmas Trees
Forget what you’ve heard about pagan origins. Julie shares the incredible account of Saint Boniface and how the Christmas tree actually represents a powerful Christian testimony of God’s triumph over false worship. The truth is far more beautiful than the myths.
Saint Nicholas and the Gospel Picture
The real story of Saint Nicholas isn’t about a jolly elf - it’s a stunning picture of Christ’s redemptive work. When you hear how Nicholas actually saved three sisters from slavery, you’ll never see Santa the same way again.
Why December 25th Matters (Even If It’s Not Exact)
Was Jesus actually born on December 25th? Probably not. Does that make Christmas meaningless? Absolutely not. Julie breaks down why the celebration matters even when we can’t pin down exact dates, and what this teaches us about worship versus legalism.
The Intellectual Depth of Christianity
One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is how God doesn’t ask for blind faith - He invites us to wrestle, reason, and dig deep. If you’ve ever felt like Christianity requires you to “check your brain at the door,” this conversation will revolutionize your perspective.
Wrestling with Scripture Is Part of the Journey
From Job’s arguments with God to Jesus using the Socratic method with religious leaders, the Bible itself demonstrates that questioning, wrestling, and seeking understanding are fundamental to genuine faith - not obstacles to it.
Key Moments & Timestamps
[00:03:42] The danger of “shorthand” Christianity and urban legends
[00:05:58] Brandon’s journey: from intellectual skepticism to discovering the Bible’s depth
[00:07:25] The Christmas tree myth debunked: Saint Boniface and the Thunder Oak
[00:18:03] The beautiful backstory of Saint Nicholas and redemption
[00:31:45] Was Jesus really born on December 25th?
[00:45:12] The importance of source materials and honest inquiry
[00:58:30] Why Christianity doesn’t require blind faith
[01:13:46] God gave us brains for a reason - let’s use them
[01:15:30] The archaeological evidence supporting biblical history
[01:18:03] Julie’s upcoming projects and recommended resources
Why This Matters for Your Faith Journey
If you’ve ever felt torn between intellectual honesty and faith, this conversation offers genuine hope. Julie demonstrates what it looks like to be both a rigorous scholar and a devoted follower of Christ - proving these aren’t contradictory positions but complementary ones.
Whether you’re:
New to faith and wrestling with questions about Christian traditions
A longtime believer who wants to go deeper than surface-level understanding
Someone who loves the intellectual depth of Scripture
A parent wanting to pass on faith with integrity and honesty
Curious about the real history behind Christmas celebrations
This conversation will challenge myths, deepen your understanding, and remind you that God designed us to seek, question, and discover truth - not to settle for comfortable half-truths.
Resources Mentioned
Julie’s Book: Exiting Egypt (Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart)
Julie’s Upcoming Podcast: “Oh Wow, That Really Happened” - A true crimes approach to obscure Bible stories
Recommended Resources:
Wave Nunnally - Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and conservative Christian teacher
Craig Keener - Biblical scholarship
Expedition Bible - YouTube channel going through various Biblical sites and discoveries
Connect with Julie West
Julie is a Bible teacher, author, and on-air personality at Z 88.3 in Orlando. She’s been featured on Fox News, various media outlets, and brings decades of theological study combined with practical teaching that makes Scripture accessible without dumbing it down.
My Reflection
One of the things that continues to blow my mind about Christianity is discovering how intellectually robust it actually is. I came to faith thinking I’d have to set aside my love of learning and reason - only to discover that God actually invites us into the deepest intellectual pursuit imaginable: knowing Him.
Julie embodies this beautifully. Her love for accuracy, source materials, and historical truth doesn’t diminish her faith - it deepens it. And her reminder that we’re commanded to “come, let us reason together” is something I needed to hear early in my walk with Christ.
The Bible isn’t mythology. It’s not just rules or nice stories. It’s a living text documenting real history, real people, real events, and our ongoing relationship with the God who created us and wants to be known.
Join the Conversation
What myths about Christmas or Christianity have you had to unlearn? Have you experienced the intellectual depth of Scripture in ways that surprised you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
And if you found this conversation valuable, share it with someone who might be wrestling with similar questions about faith and reason.
Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube.
Until next time, keep seeking, keep wrestling, and keep growing in the knowledge of our incredible God.
In Christ,
Brandon
Order Within is a Christian ministry dedicated to authentic biblical teaching and genuine fellowship. If this content has blessed you, consider supporting the ministry through Buy Me a Coffee or visiting The Order Within Fellowship.
