Did Jesus Christ exist as a historical human or was he a theological construct?

[Thor]

While true it ignores the fact that the Romans had a traditional start of winter festival, the Saturnalia, which went back to the 3d century BC.

Good point! I think the "Jesus" myth involves a mixing of Mithraism with Saturnalia and other traditional festivities. (At Christmas, I like to wish people a "Happy Saturnalia!" and then explain what I'm talking about when I get a quizzical look. Maybe it will plant a seed that will ultimately bear fruit.)