Despite our differences, I'm sure we share trying to find ways to explain to unbelievers how important the “fact” of the Incarnation is. A friend whom God is slowly, slowly drawing to his bosom asked if we would ever forgive Pilate. This was because the creeds mention that IHS was “crucified under Pontius Pilate.”
I tried to explain that it's not about blaming Pilate. I am at least as responsible as he for the crucifixion. It's about the fact that it happened! Really happened. Pilate was procurator of Judea. We can give the actual even a real range of possible dates.
It's not at all a matter of “fake but accurate,” but of “true and TRUE!”
And on some particular date a child was born “as at this time for us,” who was also God. Not like Vishnu or Osiris, whose stories happen out of time, but when Octavian was Caesar in Rome and Herod was King in Judea.
When they turn their backs on even the possibility of a sweating and bleeding Jesus, soon they find no value in facts at all.
From which may we be protected by the Lord of Love.
AMEN!