Not a bad article.

[Minimalist]

Throws a few bones to the jesus freaks but in general should have them howling like they got their balls caught in a meat grinder.

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/11/the-not-...mas-story/

The not-so-virgin birth and the real origins of the Christmas story

Christianity’s virgin birth narrative, both what it says and why it is poorly integrated into the rest of the Bible, is a fascinating study in cultural evolution. Specifically, it illustrates a process called “syncretism” whereby religions merge over time when cultures come into contact.