Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Christmas Quiz, part 1

Apparently some folks out there artually read this article (for which I want to say, “Thank you very much!”), because after last week’s piece that included three questions from a “Christmas Quiz” we’ve done at my church, I’ve had several requests for the entire quiz. So, here is the first half of it. The rest will be in next week.
The correct answers with scripture references are at the end, so don’t peak until you’ve marked your answers. Try to answer according to what you think the Bible says, because it is our only accurate source for the truth about Christmas, but answer before you look it up.
Let’s learn to separate Christmas myth from Christmas truth!

1. Joseph and Mary were from where?
A. Bethlehem
B. Jerusalem
C. Nazareth
D. Egypt
E. Spain
F. Atlantis

2. When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, what happened?
A. Joseph went to Solomon for advice.
B. Joseph wanted to end the engagement.
C. Mary left town for three months.
D. God told them to go to Bethlehem.
E. Joseph told Mary to get an abortion.
F. Both B and C

3. Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?
A. No one
B. God
C. Caesar Augustus
D. An angel
E. Mary's mother
F. Herod

4. Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem?
A. To get married
B. For a vacation
C. To escape from Herod
D. To register in a census and pay taxes
E. To visit Mary's cousin Elizabeth
F. To look for work in a larger town

5. What did the innkeeper say to Mary and Joseph?
A. "There is no room in the inn."
B. "I have a stable you can use."
C. "Come back after the Christmas rush."
D. "You hicks can sleep in the barn."
E. "Go away, kids. You bother me."
F. No one really knows.

6. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus' birth?
A. Cows, sheep and goats.
B. Cows, donkeys and sheep
C. Sheep and goats only
D. Unspecified farm animals
E. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
F. None of the above

7. When the angels came to the shepherds, what were they singing?
A. "Glory to God in the highest"
B. "Peace on earth, good will to men"
C. "White Christmas"
D. "Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy"
E. "R – E – S – P – E – C – T"
F. None of the above

8. When the angels came to the shepherds, what were they playing?
A. Gin rummy
B. Harps of gold
C. Little drums
D. Trumpets
E. Lutes and lyres
F. None of the above

9. What sign were the shepherds told to look for?
A. One that said, "This way to baby Jesus."
B. A star over Bethlehem
C. A baby that doesn't cry
D. A house with a Christmas tree
E. A baby in a stable
F. A baby in a manger

10.The baby Jesus cried . . .
A. because He had to sleep on hay.
B. seldom or never.
C. when the doctor spanked Him.
D. probably just like other babies.
E. because the cows scared Him.
F. when the little drummer boy started banging on his drum.

Here are the correct answers with scripture references:
1. C (Luke 1:26-27)
2. F (Matthew 1:18-19; Luke 1:35-39,56)
3. C (Luke 2:1,5-6)
4. D (Luke 2:5)
5. F (Luke 2:7)
6. F (Luke 2:16)
7. F (Luke 2:13 – the key word is "singing." They spoke, not sang.)
8. F (Luke 2:13-15)
9. F (Luke 2:12)
10. D (Hebrews 2:14; Philippians 2:6-8)

How many did you get right? If you know the truth, the truth shall set you free!
Ten more next week.

2 comments:

Laura said...

1. Joseph and Mary were from Athens. Georgia, that is.
2. They registered at Baby Gap.
3. Andrew Greeley. "Go West, young parents of the Messiah!"
4. Two words: day spa.
5. "Can I see a driver's license?" To which they replied, "Sorry, we came here on a donkey."
6. A lion and a lamb, because it was just SOOO, like, symbolic, y'know?
7. "Baby, Baby" by Amy Grant.
8. Mandolins. Or maybe pin the halo on the infant. My memory about the whole thing is a little sketchy.
9. "Open 24 Hours."
10. ... and you would too, if your very first visitors smelled like sheep.

Dad, I'm stealing your Christmas quiz for my blog.

Anonymous said...

But, Laura . . . uh . . .

hnnn . . . hnnn . . .

you CAAA - A - A - N'T.

Cuz . . .

Oh, okay, I guess, but only since you got 10 right out of 10 on the first half.

Great answers. And the implicit theology . . .