LATE FOR CHRISTMAS, but timed to coincide with the publication of his latest book, this article in the Wisconsin State Journal interviews New Testament scholar John Dominic Crossan:

Vetting the Jesus parable
JAY RATH
For the State Journal
Contact Jay Rath at daybreak@madison.com.

Jesus was not born in Bethlehem.

There was no manger, no star, no Wise Men. Mary was not a virgin.

But that doesn't mean it's not all true.

John Dominic Crossan, often called the premier expert on the words and life of the historical Jesus, says the truth of the Christmas story is spiritual, not necessarily factual.

[...]

Crossan is professor emeritus of Biblical Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. He is the author of many books, including "Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography" and "The Historical Jesus." Tuesday will see publication of "The Last Week: A Day by Day Account of Jesus' Last Week in Jerusalem," written with Marcus J. Borg. Crossan's "Jesus and Paul" will be published next fall.

[...]

Lots of interesting thoughts in this one.