CHRISTMAS QUIZ How much do you really know about Christmas? Our culture has influenced our understanding of the story of the birth of Jesus. A lot of misconceptions have arisen due to this. The more difficult questions help clarify the difference between the original Bible story and modern ideas. CHRISTMAS QUIZ Questions start out easy and then get hard. 1. The name of the mother of Jesus was: Martha Mary Eve Deborah 2. Jesus was born in what town? Jerusalem Nazareth Bethlehem New York 3. Joseph was a: Carpenter Doctor Engineer Fisherman 4. Why didn’t Joseph and Mary stay at the inn? It was too expensive There was no inn There was no room None of the above 5. How did Joseph and Mary get to Bethlehem? Colt Mary rode a donkey and Joseph walked wagon Who knows? 6. After being born, Jesus was placed in a: Basket Manger Pile of hay On the back of a donkey 7. A manger is a: stable feeding trough wooden table barn 8. Which animals does the Bible say were housed in the stable? cows, donkeys, sheep lions, tigers and bears goats, sheep and cows The Bible doesn’t say. 9. From what area were the three kings that visited Jesus? the west the east the orient none of the above 10. What sign were the shepherds told to look for by the angel? a lion and a sheep together in peace a tree with a star on top a star over Bethlehem none of the above 11. With what words did the heavenly host of angels praise God? "Joy to the World, the Lord is Come" "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah” “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” "Glory to God in the highest," 12. What is frankincense? a form of gold an incense from a tree a jewel none of the above. 13. What is myrrh? a musical instrument a spice used for burial a valuable wine none of the above 14. How many wise men came to see Jesus? One Two Three The Bible doesn’t say 15. What does "wise men" most likely refer to? lawyers star gazers. priests doctors 16. The wise men met Jesus in a: manger. castle. stable. house. 17. Who told Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem? an angel Caesar Augustus. Herod No one told them to go. 18. The child Jesus went to Egypt: to meet pharaoh because Joseph was told in a dream to take him Joseph did not take Jesus to Egypt none of the above 19. According to the Bible, the little drummer boy met Jesus: when Jesus was in the manger at a house When Jesus was about two years old none of the above 20. In which books do we find the story of Jesus’ birth Matthew Mark Luke John 21. December 25th has been celebrated as Christmas since the Bible was written. True False 22. DISCUSSION QUESTION: How does our culture influence how we understand the stories of the Bible? ============== ANSWERS: ============== 1. The name of the mother of Jesus was: Martha Mary Eve Deborah 1. The name of the mother of Jesus was: 1. Mary Matthew 1:18 “18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” 2. Jesus was born in what town? Jerusalem Nazareth Bethlehem New York 2. Jesus was born in what town? 2. Bethlehem Matthew 2:1 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, . . .” 3. Joseph was a: Carpenter Doctor Engineer Fisherman 3. Joseph was a: Carpenter Matthew 13:55 “Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, . . .” 4. Why didn’t Joseph and Mary stay at the inn? It was too expensive There was no inn There was no room none of the above 4. Why didn’t Joseph and Mary stay at the inn? There was no room. Luke 2:7 " . . . because there was no room for them in the inn." 5. How did Joseph and Mary get to Bethlehem? Colt Mary rode a donkey and Joseph walked wagon Who knows? 5. How did Joseph and Mary get to Bethlehem? 5. We don’t know. The Bible doesn't say. Some suppose that she rode something since she was so far along in her pregnancy. 6. After being born, Jesus was placed in a: Basket Manger Pile of hay On the back of a donkey 6. After being born, Jesus was placed in a: 6. Manger. Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." 7. A manger is a: stable feeding trough wooden table barn 7. A manger is a: 7. Feeding Trough. It comes from a Greek word that means "to eat". 8. Which animals does the Bible say were housed in the stable? cows, donkeys, sheep lions, tigers and bears goats, sheep and cows The Bible doesn’t say. 8. Which animals does the Bible say were housed in the stable? 8. The Bible doesn't say. 9. From what area were the three kings that visited Jesus? the west the east the orient none of the above 9. From what area were the three kings that visited Jesus? 9. None of the above. The Bible only talks about the wise (magi) coming to see Jesus. The Bible never describes them as kings. It‘s just the song that says “We three kings of orient are“ Matthew 2:1 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,” 10. What sign were the shepherds told to look for by the angel? a lion and a sheep together in peace a tree with a star on top a star over Bethlehem none of the above 10. What sign were the shepherds told to look for by the angel? 10. None of the Above Luke 2:12 "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." 11. With what words did the heavenly host of angels praise God? "Joy to the World, the Lord is Come" "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah” “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” "Glory to God in the highest," 11. With what words did the heavenly host of angels praise God? 11. Glory to God... Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Most of these other songs were written long after Christ died. 12. What is frankincense? a form of gold an incense from a tree a jewel none of the above. 12. What is frankincense? 12. A valuable incense made from the sap of a tree 13. What is myrrh? a musical instrument a spice used for burial a valuable wine none of the above 13. What is myrrh? 13. A valuable spice sometimes used in burials. John 19:39-40 "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury" 14. How many wise men came to see Jesus? One Two Three The Bible doesn’t say 14. How many wise men came to see Jesus? 14. No one knows, but more than one. Some SUPPOSE that there were three since there were three gifts, but that is just a guess. Matthew 2:1 "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem," 15. What does "wise men" most likely refer to? lawyers star gazers. priests doctors 15. What does "wise men" most likely refer to? 15. Star Gazers. See most any commentary. Star gazers could often navigate, predict the times for best planting, knew math, astronomy and calendar systems. They were very important in agricultural societies. 16. The wise men met Jesus in a: manger. castle. stable. house. 16. The wise men met Jesus in a: 16. House. Matthew 2:11 "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." 17. Who told Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem? an angel Caesar Augustus. Herod No one told them to go. 17. Who told Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem? 17. Caesar Augustus. Luke 2:1, 4 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)" 18. The child Jesus went to Egypt: to meet pharaoh because Joseph was told in a dream to take him Joseph did not take Jesus to Egypt none of the above 18. The child Jesus went to Egypt: 18. Joseph was told in a dream to do it. Matthew 2:13 "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." 19. According to the Bible, the little drummer boy met Jesus: when Jesus was in the manger at a house When Jesus was about two years old none of the above 19. According to the Bible, the little drummer boy met Jesus: 19. None of the above. The story of a drummer boy meeting Jesus is not in the Bible. 20. In which books do we find the story of Jesus’ birth Matthew Mark Luke John 20. In which books do we find the story of Jesus’ birth: 20. Matthew and Luke only. Mark and John to not talk about the birth of Jesus. 21. December 25th has been celebrated as Christmas since the Bible was written. True False 21. December 25th has been celebrated as Christmas since the Bible was written. 21. False. Although the Bible talks about the birth of Jesus, it never uses the word “Christmas”. As best as we know, the earliest Christians didn't even celebrate Christmas. Later, several different dates were observed by Christians but it wasn’t until about the 4th century that December 25th became the common day of celebration. The fact is that no one really knows when Jesus was born. 22. DISCUSSION QUESTION: How does our culture influence how we understand the stories of the Bible? You can read what the Bible says about the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:20. Now go back and read these verses again like you are hearing this wonderful story for the first time. The test above is available as free downloads in Microsoft Word, Corel Word Perfect, text and PowerPoint formats for Sunday School use at www.eBibleTeacher.com Some scripture quotations taken from: King James version or HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) 1973, 1978 by the International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible publishers.