The First Christmas Quiz
The story of Jesus is so well known that even many non-Christians are familiar with it. But how much of the story you know is actually found in the Bible and how much has been added on by later tradition?
- 1.
What were the names of the wise men?
- A.
Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar.
- B.
Larvandad, Gushnasaph, and Hormsidas.
- C.
Hor, Karsudan, and Basanater.
- D.
Kagpha, Badadakharida, and Badadilma.
- E.
No names are mentioned in the Gospels.
Correct Answer
E. No names are mentioned in the Gospels.Explanation
There are several traditions about the wise men. The most familiar is the use of the names Balthazar, Melchior, and Gaspar in the western Catholic tradition. Syrian Christians use the names Larvandad, Gushnasaph, and Hormisdas. Among Ethiopian Christians, the names are Hor, Karsudan, and Basanater. Aomng Arminian christians, they are called Kagpha, Badadakharida and Badadilma. Despite all these possible names, the names of the wise men are not given in the Bible.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Where is the story of Jesus' birth written?
- A.
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- B.
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke only.
- C.
The story does not appear in the Gospels and comes from later Christian writings, like the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.
- D.
The Gospel of John only.
Correct Answer
B. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke only.Explanation
While there are later Christian writings that build on the story, the oldest versions appear in Matthew and Luke.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What town was Jesus born in?
- A.
Jerusalem.
- B.
Nazareth.
- C.
Bethlehem.
- D.
Magdala.
Correct Answer
C. Bethlehem.Explanation
Many historians contend that Jesus must have been born in Nazareth (because he was known as Jesus of Nazareth), but both Matthew and Luke say it was BETHLEHEM.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Who told Mary she was going to have a son?
- A.
The angel, Gabriel.
- B.
Her OB-GYN.
- C.
The archangel, Michael.
- D.
The angel, Raphael.
Correct Answer
A. The angel, Gabriel.Explanation
Luke 1:26-27 says: "In the sixth month THE ANGEL GABRIEL was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary."Rate this question:
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- 5.
Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?
- A.
King Herod.
- B.
The angel Gabriel.
- C.
The Roman Emperor Augustus.
- D.
Nobody told them, they just wanted to be close to Joseph's family when the baby was born.
Correct Answer
C. The Roman Emperor Augustus.Explanation
Luke 2:1-4 says: "In those days a decree went out from EMPEROR AUGUSTUS that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David."Rate this question:
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- 6.
Where was the baby born?
- A.
In a cave.
- B.
In a stable.
- C.
In a house.
- D.
The story doesn't specify.
Correct Answer
D. The story doesn't specify.Explanation
If you travel to Israel, you can visit a cave underneath the Church of the Nativity, which tradition holds is the birthplace of Jesus, but no cave is mentioned in the Gospels. Similarly, while it's reasonable to assume the manger would be inside a stable or barn, the scriptures don't mention any building at all.
Luke 2:7 says: "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."Rate this question:
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- 7.
Who told the shepherds about the baby?
- A.
People from the town were spreading the word.
- B.
It came to one shepherd in a dream.
- C.
It was just a lucky guess.
- D.
Angels appeared to them.
Correct Answer
D. Angels appeared to them.Explanation
Luke 2:9 says: "Then AN ANGEL of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."Rate this question:
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- 8.
How did the shepherds know how to find the baby?
- A.
They knew he would be lying in a manger.
- B.
They Followed the Star of Bethlehem.
- C.
They used Googlemaps.
- D.
The angel went with them, to show them the way.
Correct Answer
A. They knew he would be lying in a manger.Explanation
Luke 2:10, 12 says: "But the angel said to them... This will be a sign for you: you will FIND A CHILD WRAPPED IN BANDS OF CLOTH AND LYING IN A MANGER.”Rate this question:
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- 9.
How did the wise men find the baby?
- A.
An angel told them in a dream.
- B.
They Followed the Star of Bethlehem.
- C.
They were given directions by King Herod.
- D.
Both B and C.
Correct Answer
D. Both B and C.Explanation
Matthew 2:1- 5 says: "...wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For WE OBSERVED HIS STAR AT ITS RISING, and have come to pay him homage.' When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah[c] was to be born. THEY TOLD HIM, 'In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet.'"Rate this question:
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- 10.
What gifts did the wise men bring?
- A.
Silver and gold.
- B.
Gift cards.
- C.
Gold and non-specified precious spices.
- D.
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Correct Answer
D. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Explanation
Matthew 2:11 says: "Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH."Rate this question:
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- 11.
What lands were the wise men kings of?
- A.
The countries are not mentioned.
- B.
Arabia, Ethiopia, and Persia.
- C.
Persia, Babylon, and India.
- D.
Sheba, Akkadia, and Phoenicia.
Correct Answer
A. The countries are not mentioned.Explanation
Western tradition says the wise men came from Persia, India, and Babylon. The Gospels, however, do not mention their nationalities, and do not offer any indication that they were kings or rulers of any kind.
Matthew 2: "In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men FROM THE EAST came to Jerusalem..."Rate this question:
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- 12.
Where was Jesus when the wise men found him?
- A.
Lying in the manger.
- B.
In Egypt, where his parents had fled from Herod.
- C.
In a house.
- D.
The Bible does not say.
Correct Answer
C. In a house.Explanation
The stories get blended together so that in pictures and songs, the wise men find Jesus in the manger. However, the way the Bible tells the story is a little different. Matthew 2:11 says: "On entering THE HOUSE, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage."Rate this question:
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- 13.
How many wise men were there?
- A.
Three.
- B.
Seven.
- C.
Twelve.
- D.
The Bible does not say.
Correct Answer
D. The Bible does not say.Explanation
Most traditions say there were three wise men, probably because there were three gifts mentioned. However, the Bible doesn't offer any number. Matthew 2:1 only says: "...wise men from the East..."Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which animals were present when Jesus was born?
- A.
Cows, pigs, sheep,and chickens.
- B.
The scripture doesn't say.
- C.
Cow and donkey, the sheep and goats came later, with the shepherds.
- D.
Horses, cows, donkeys, and sheep.
Correct Answer
B. The scripture doesn't say.Explanation
While it is logical to assume that there would be animals present, the Bible doesn't mention. The first use of animals in a nativity scene is credited to St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 CE.Rate this question:
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- 15.
What date was Jesus born?
- A.
He is a fictional character who has no real birthday.
- B.
December 25.
- C.
The Gospels do not say.
- D.
We don't know specifically, but sometime in the spring.
Correct Answer
C. The Gospels do not say.Explanation
There have been a number of popular books suggesting that he was a fictional character, but the great majority of historians agree that there was an actual Jesus. The date of Dec 25 was taken from the Roman solstice festival of Saturnalia. The victory of light over dark was thought to be symbolically appropriate. The gospel of Luke says the shepherds were in the fields, watching over their flocks, which may suggest a springtime date, but the season and date are not explicitly mentioned at all.Rate this question:
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