Despite the enormous growth in the nation's diversity over the past 225 years, Christian conviction remains pervasive. If you doubt this, take a look at the survey the Pew Research Center released without much fanfare [in December 2014]. Among its principal findings: 73 percent of U.S. adults believe that Jesus was born to a virgin; 81 percent, that the baby Jesus was laid in a manger; 75 percent, that wise men guided by a star brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh; and 74 percent, that an angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds. Fully 65 percent of Americans believe all four of these elements of the Christmas story, while only 14 percent believe none of them.

What about the growth of secular thought in young Americans? As the Pew report notes, there "is little sign of a consistent generation gap on these questions." That's an understatement. Seventy percent of adults age 18 to 29 believe that Jesus was born to a virgin; 69 percent that an angel announced his birth; 80 percent that he was laid in a manger; and 74 percent that the wise men made their gift-laden trek.

Possible Preaching Angles: Evangelism; Secularism; Apologetics—(1) When it comes to sharing the gospel with those who don't know Christ, there may be more common ground than we think. (2) Although secularism has a strong foothold, it hasn't engulfed the American spiritual scene. (3) Begin a sermon on biblical beliefs by asking, "Okay, so a lot of Americans believe this stuff. Do they have good reasons? Let's explore some of the reasons …"