So, how well do you know the real Christmas story? Can you separate biblical truth from pure fiction? Many “facts” we think we know about Jesus’ birth are not really factual at all. Centuries of tradition and even popular culture have affected the way we view the story of Jesus’ birth.
Why should we care if our version of Jesus’ birth is biblically accurate? God calls us to handle His Word with care and diligence in every area. We shouldn’t want to warp His truth, no matter how “trivial” the facts.
Here are two articles you might find helpful for your own Bible study:
Let’s start by checking our facts on the real Christmas story. Be honest! Answer the multiple choice questions without looking down below at the answers. Don’t use your Bibles or the internet. I will give the answers and Scriptural support at the end. (Download & Print this PDF version of the Christmas Trivia Quiz!)
Take the Christmas Trivia Quiz
1. How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
a. Camel
b. Donkey
c. Walked
d. Volkswagen
e. Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey
f. Who knows?
2. What did the innkeeper tell 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. Both a and b
e. None of the above
3. What is a manger?
a. Stable for domestic animals
b. Wooden hay storage bin
c. Feeding trough
d. Barn
4. According to the Bible, which animals were present at Jesus’ birth
a. Cows, sheep. goats
b. Cows, donkeys, sheep
c. Miscellaneous barnyard animals
d. Lions, tigers, and bears
e. We don’t know
5. What “sign” did the angels tell the shepherds to look for?
a. A star over Bethlehem
b. A baby that doesn’t cry
c. A baby in a stable
d. A baby lying in a manger
e. None of the above
6. Who saw the “star in the east?”
a. Shepherds
b. Mary and Joseph
c. Magi (aka Wise Men)
d. Both A and C
e. None of the above
7. What did the heavenly host of angels say?
a. Joy to the World
b. Alleluia
c. Unto us a child is born
d. Glory to God in the highest
8. Did the baby Jesus cry?
a. He never cried
b. He cried just like other babies
c. Only when the little drummer boy banged his drum
9. How many Magi came to see Jesus?
a. We aren’t sure, but probably less than 10
b. Three
c. We don’t know for sure, but there were probably dozens of people in their entourage
10. Where did the Magi find Jesus?
a. In the manger
b. In the stable
c. In an inn
d. In a house
Answers to the real Christmas Story Trivia Quiz
Okay, here we go. Some answers and explanation!
1. The Bible does not say anything about a donkey. Luke 2:4 simply tells us that Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Galilee. Many biblical scholars do think that because of their economic status they probably both walked.
2. The Bible does not record any words spoken by the inn keeper. In fact, Luke does not even mention an inn keeper, merely an inn and the fact that there was no room. Luke 2:7. To get really specific, there is also no mention of a stable.
3. A manger is a feeding trough for animals.
4. Read Luke 2:1-20. There is no mention of animals of any kind around Jesus after His birth.
5. The star is only mentioned in conjunction with the Magi. They told Herod they had seen the star. See Matthew 2:2.
6. The sign the angels told the shepherds to look for was a baby lying in a manger. Luke 2:12.
7. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:14.
8. Baby Jesus was fully human. He cried when He was hungry, tired, wet, and in pain just like any other baby.
9. The Bible does not tell us how many Magi visited Jesus. The tradition of “3” probably developed because they presented 3 kinds of gifts. According to scholars the Magi’s journey probably lasted up to two years with an entourage of dozens or more people.
10. Sorry to wreck your nativity scenes but the Magi were not present the night Jesus was born. Scriptural evidence shows Jesus could have been as old as two by the time they arrived. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were staying in a house. See Matthew 2:11.
Feel free to download and print this PDF version to use at Christmas parties, in your SS classes, or just to show your family how “smart” you are!
So, how did you do? Which ones do you think would trip up more Christians? Did this little trivia quiz challenge you to more thoroughly study the Bible? If so, in what way?
This is great – I’m going to quiz my girls and see how they do. The donkey question got me. : )
So good!!
I’m using it with our family gathering on Christmas! Thanks for the test! I missed one question, #2.
Thank you for the quiz. We need to stay grounded in the truth.
Thank you for sharing this trivia. I knew the answer’s but have family members that had no clue. I appreciate this so maybe by you sending this out i can use it to plant seeds. Thank you so much.
Hi Debi, thanks for coming by! May God reveal Himself to your family this Christmas!
Loved the quiz! Got them all right, This has always been a pet peeve for me that churches do not tell the Christmas story accurately. When I was in Bible college i asked some of my teachers why it is never portrayed correctly in church plays. The answers ranged from….it is a deep tradition to tell it that way, it is easier to put the play on with the story condensed, and if we changed it now it would raise too many questions and hurt the church…I think we would win more people to Christianity if the truth was portrayed in the play so if we get someone who chooses Christmas service to dedicate their life to Jesus they don’t begin to question scripture when they read, lets say the book of Luke, and discover all the discrepancies.
How fun! I love your commitment to learning/teaching the Word authentically. I recently heard you say we shouldn’t ask what a particular scripture means to us but what God is saying in that scripture (hope my paraphrase is accurate). This quiz aligns with your commitment to understand the truth. I appreciate how you make me think about things differently!
Yes! We need to always check what we hear with God’s Word!
Thanks for sharing this information. I am still thinking about what you taught us on Saturday at Still Waters Baptist about being Content in all Situations just as Paul did.
I really enjoyed my time with all of you!
I did pretty good. I definitely need to pay more attention to the true meaning of the scripture. I loved this. Thanks.
I can’t get it to download.
Hi Mary! Try this link: http://www.kathyhoward.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Christmas-IQ-test.pdf
Love this. Thanks, Kathy.
Thanks for coming by!
Going to do this Trivia on my team zoom meeting tonight Thank your Kathy
Glad you can use it!