How much of what you know about the Nativity is based on Scripture?
A Christmas Quiz
By Dr. David R. Reagan
[read in Lamplighter (pdf)]
The Bible says (True or False):
1. Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
a. True
b. False
2. When Joseph and Mary traveled, Mary rode on a donkey.
a. True
b. False
3. The innkeeper told Joseph there was no room in the inn.
a. True
b. False
4. Jesus was born on the same night Joseph and Mary arrived
in Bethlehem.
a. True
b. False
5. Mary wrapped her son in cloths and laid Him in a manger.
a. True
b. False
6. Straw filled the manger in which Jesus was laid.
a. True
b. False
7. Jesus was born on a cold winter’s night.
a. True
b. False
8. Sheep stood next to the manger.
a. True
b. False
9. The stable was built of wood.
a. True
b. False
10. Joseph and Mary named Jesus the night He was born.
a. True
b. False
11. Some of the animals woke the baby Jesus, but He didn’t cry.
a. True
b. False
12. The shepherds were terrified when an angel of the Lord appeared to them, announcing Christ’s birth.
a. True
b. False
13. The shepherds, then the Magi, came to the manger.
a. True
b. False
14. The shepherds and the Magi saw His star.
a. True
b. False
15. The Magi were from the East.
a. True
b. False
16. King Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem.
a. True
b. False
17. The Magi arrived on camels.
a. True
b. False
18. Three Magi visited Bethlehem.
a. True
b. False
19. The Magi came to a house where the Child and mother were.
a. True
b. False
20. After having found the Child, the Magi were warned not to go back the Herod.
a. True
b. False
Answers
1. a. True. Luke 2:4.
2. b. False. Although it’s possible Mary rode a donkey because of her condition, this is not stated in the Scriptures.
3. b. False. Many Christmas pageants include a scene where Joseph has a door slammed rudely in his face. However, an innkeeper isn’t actually mentioned in Scripture. See Luke 2:7.
4. b. False. We often picture Mary and Joseph barely making it to Bethlehem before Jesus was born. But the Scriptures simply state: “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born” (Luke 2:6).
5. a. True. Luke 2:7.
6. b. False. The Scriptures don’t specify straw.
7. b. False. You’ll find this in the opening stanza of “The First Noel,” not Scripture.
8. b. False. No Nativity set seems complete without a few sheep facing the manger. But the biblical account mentions only flocks in nearby fields (Luke 2:8).
9. b. False. No stable is mentioned in either Matthew or Luke. It could have been a cave.
10. b. False. He was given the name by an angel before conception (Luke 1:31), and it was publicly confirmed at His circumcision (Luke 2:21).
11. b. False. This is found in Martin Luther’s song, “Away in a Manger,” not Scripture.
12. a. True. Luke 2:9.
13. b. False. Nativity scenes have several Magi at the manger, but your Bible does not. See Luke 2:15-18.
14. b. False. Although we’re told the Magi saw the star (Matthew 2:2 & 10), there is no scriptural evidence the shepherds did.
15. a. True. Matthew 2:1.
16. a. True. Matthew 2:8.
17. b. False. Although it’s likely they used camels for transportation, they are not mentioned in the Bible.
18. b. False. When you sing, “The First Noel” or “We Three Kings,” remember we are not told how many Magi traveled to Bethlehem. Matthew 2:11 says gifts of gold, incense
and myrrh were presented to the baby Jesus, but we can’t assume that three gifts mean three givers.
19. a. True. Not only are we told the Magi came to a “house,” we also find Joseph’s presence isn’t mentioned (Matthew 2:11).
20. a. True. Matthew 2:12.
