By Dr. Scott Hahn

The times are certainly a-changin’, as the old song goes.

You all know the drill. Almost every Christmas and Easter, like clockwork, you can expect news magazines and TV networks to do "special investigative reports" into the "true story" or "historical truth" behind our beliefs in the virgin birth, the resurrection, and so forth.

These reports can be done fairly. But almost always, frankly, they're not.

So, I thought I knew what I was in for when I agreed to be interviewed by the NBC program, "Dateline," for its report on "What Is the Real Christmas Story?"

My first surprise came when the show's host, Keith Morrison, arrived in Steubenville with his crew. We talked on camera for more than two hours.

He'd clearly done is homework - read the right books, talked to some first-rate scholars. He'd even visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

He told me his father was a minister, and several of his uncles. He came with an open mind, and during the course of our conversation, I could see that he was opening up even more to the mysteries of the gospel.

Still, I was wary. If you've ever been misquoted or had your words taken out of context, you know it's an experience you don't soon forget. Who knew which of my words would wind up in the program, and how they'd be used?

But that's where my second surprise came in. When the show aired last Nov. 11, it was pretty darn good. Of course, Keith aired the views of scholars who dismiss the biblical accounts as literary creations, or veiled political statements.

But he also gave me time to explain why we can't separate Scripture from history. The truth of history and the truth of God's Word are one. The faith doesn't suffer from historical scrutiny, properly done.

And the biggest surprise of all? He gave me the last word on the show: "Now for some people, [the Christmas account in Scripture] is just too good to be true. For people like me, it’s almost too good to be true - except that it is true."

Why am I telling you this? Because to me this is a powerful sign of the good we're doing for our Lord - you and I.

Millions of people around the world saw that program. But why did NBC even think to call me in the first place? Because of all that you do behind the scenes - with your prayers and contributions, your enthusiastic support for our programs.

I never thought I'd live to see the day when the truly Catholic position on the Bible would have the last word on one of the world's most watched television networks.

The times must surely be a-changing. And its thanks to you.

January 2006