What do you know about Christmas? Probably less than you think you know! And what you think you know probably came from somewhere other than the Bible! That’s how it was with me, the first time I took a quiz like the one I’m going to give you a chance at now. My husband put this one together for the Bible study group he leads at a nearby “correctional facility” (prison). (I modified and added a bit.) Let me know in the comment box if you get 100 %—because I didn’t! And no cheating with the hover tool, peeking at the scripture references at the bottom before you answer! (Tomorrow I’ll post the letter answers for you “too-busy” people, but you’ll probably want to check out some of the references then anyhow.)

Here goes:

1. How many “wise men” (Magi) came from the east searching for the King of the Jews? (a) four (b) three (c) twelve (d) unknown

2. Where did the Magi see little Jesus? (a) at an inn (b) at a house (c) at a stable (d) at a motel (e) they bumped into Him at the marketplace.

3. What gifts did they bring? (a) gold, frankincense, and nard (b) gold, silver, and myrrh (c) silver, gold, and building blocks (d) frankincense, myrrh, and gold, (e) gold, silver, and spices

4. In a dream, in Bethlehem, Joseph was warned to take the Christ child and His mother to…(a) Egypt (b) Jerusalem (c) Nazareth (d) Judea

5. How many times did Joseph receive God’s guidance/instruction in a dream? (a) four (b) two (c) five (d) three

6. What was the name of the angel that visited Mary? (a) George (b) Gabriel (c) Lucifer (d) Michael (e) No name is given.

7. Who issued the decree ordering “all the world” to be registered? (a) Quirinius (b) Pilate (c) Ceasar Augustus (d) Julius Ceasar (e) Caiaphas

8. What did the heavenly host do when they appeared to the shepherds? (a) invite them to a party on the mountain (b) sing (c) dance on the head of a pin (d) say, “Glory to God in the highest”

9. Who said, “Blessed are you among women”? (a) Martha (b) Mary (c) Elizabeth (d) Mary Magdalene

10. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the temple, what was the name of the prophetess that came up to Him? (a) Elizabeth (b) Anna (c) Hannah (d) Huldah (d) Sapphira

11. What were the first words Simeon spoke in the temple when he saw Jesus? (a) “Mine eyes have see the glory of the coming of the Lord” (b) “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace” (c) “Glory to God in the highest” (d) “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has visited and redeemed His people.”

12. Gabriel spoke these words to Zechariah: “…to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children…” Which Old Testament Prophet was he quoting? (a) Malachi (b) Hosea (c) Micah (d) Isaiah

13. The chief priests and scribes told Herod where the Christ was to be born based on a prophecy from (a) Zechariah (b) Isaiah (c) Joel (d) Micah

14. How many months did Mary stay with Elizabeth? (a) three (b) one (c) six (d) Scripture doesn’t say.

15. Where in or around Bethlehem was Jesus born? In a … (a) manger (b) palace (c) temple (d) inn (e) grotto (f) Scripture doesn’t say.

16. How long after Jesus was born did Mary and Joseph bring Him to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him? (a) on the eighth day (b) two weeks later (c) on the next Sabbath (d) after forty days

Now, for the answers! I’m going to let scripture itself give you them to you. Hover your cursor over the scripture references to view them. If you want to read more of the text in which they appear, click on the reference, then return to the blog post after you read it. Be sure to read the whole passage cited, or you might miss some important facts. (I copied the questions here so you won’t have to scroll up and down to see them again.) And please let me know if you got 13 or more answers correct.

1. How many “wise men” (Magi) came from the east searching for the King of the Jews? (Mt 2:1)

2. Where did the Magi see little Jesus? (Mt 2:11)

3. What gifts did they bring? (Mt 2:11)

4. In a dream, in Bethlehem, Joseph was warned to take the Christ child and His mother where? (Mt 2:13)

5. How many times did Joseph receive God’s guidance/instruction in a dream? (Mt 1:20; 2:13-15,19-22)

6. What was the name of the angel that visited Mary? (Lk 1:26)

7. Who issued the decree ordering “all the world” to be registered? (Lk 2:1)

8. What did the heavenly host do when they appeared to the shepherds? (Lk 2:13-14)

9. Who said, “Blessed are you among women”? (Lk 1:39-42)

10. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the temple, what was the name of the prophetess that came up to Him? (Lk 2:36)

11. What were the first words Simeon spoke in the temple when he saw Jesus? (Lk 2:29)

12. Gabriel spoke these words to Zechariah: “…to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children…” Which Old Testament Prophet was he quoting? (Mal 4:6)

13. The chief priests and scribes told Herod where the Christ was to be born based on a prophecy from… (Mic 5:2)

14. How many months did Mary stay with Elizabeth? (Lk 1:56)

15. Where in or around Bethlehem was Jesus born? In a … (Lk 2:7)

16. How long after Jesus was born did Mary and Joseph bring Him to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him? (Lk 2:22-24; Lev 12:1-8)