Christmas Uncovered: Faith, Folklore, and Peace

Christmas is one of those seasons we think we know really well — but when you slow down and really look at it, there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface.

In this special Christmas edition of The Keystone Project Podcast, we sit down and talk honestly about what Christmas actually means and why it still matters so much. We move from some of the darker folklore that’s crept into the season (like Krampus), to biblical clues about when Jesus may have really been born, to a powerful true story from World War II where enemy soldiers laid down their weapons and sang Silent Night together on Christmas Eve.

Along the way, we talk about:

• Why Christmas is celebrated all over the world — and why it always points back to Jesus
• Where the story of Krampus came from and what fear-based obedience can (and can’t) do
• Biblical and historical reasons some scholars believe Jesus may have been born during the Feast of Tabernacles
• Why December 25th became the date we celebrate Christmas — and why it’s not rooted in pagan festivals
• A moving WWII Christmas story that reminds us what peace and mercy can look like even in the middle of war
• At the center of everything is the incarnation — God choosing to come near, to dwell among us, and to step into our broken world.

Our hope with this episode is simple: that it helps you slow down, reflect, and maybe see Christmas with fresh eyes — not just as a holiday to celebrate, but as a message to live out through peace, mercy, and on mission.

🎧 Listen when you’re ready, and feel free to share it with someone who could use a little hope this season.

0:00 – Introduction to Christmas and Krampus
1:18 – Why Christmas is the greatest holiday
3:52 – The meaning of gift-giving at Christmas
8:15 – History and folklore of Krampus
13:55 – The moral lessons behind Krampus tradition
20:21 – When was Jesus really born? Exploring dates
28:28 – God becoming flesh and the miracle of Christmas
31:25 – World War II Christmas truce story
39:31 – Christmas as a time of peace and family unity
41:28 – Closing Christmas greetings and call to action