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TITLE: CHRISTMAS - TRUTH OR TRADITION?

INSTRUCTIONS: Before doing anything take the following test to see how well you know Christmas. The key to the test is at the end of the file.

Remember the three kings from the Orient?

1. Were these men kings? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

2. Were there three men? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

3. What did they ride? a. donkeys b. camels c. we don't know

4. Did they follow the star from the East? a. yes b. no c. we don't

know

5. What were they looking for? a. baby Jesus b. a king c. we don't

know

6. Did they go directly to Bethlehem? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

7. Did the star lead them to Jesus? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

8. Did they find Jesus in the manger? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

9. Did they find Jesus as a baby? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

10. Was Joseph there when the wise men came? a. yes b. no c. we

don't know

11. Was Jesus born in a stable? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

12. Were the shepherds there when the wise men came? a. yes b. no c.

we don't know

13. Did the angels sing when they announced Christ's birth to the

shepherds? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

14. What kind of animals were present at Jesus' birth? a. donkeys b.

cattle c. sheep d. all of these e. we don't know

15. Was Jesus born on December 25th? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

16. Was Jesus born the day Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem?

a. yes b. no c. we don't know

17. Did Mary ride a donkey either to Bethlehem or to Egypt? a. yes

b. no c. we don't know

18. Did Joseph take Jesus and Mary to Egypt from Bethlehem? a. yes

b. no c. we don't know

19. Did the shepherds see the star? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

20. Did the wise men go to Bethlehem? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

21. Does the Bible say there was more than one angel making the

announcement to the shepherds? a. yes b. no c. we don't know

22. Were there more angels than one involved with the shepherds?

a. yes b. no c. we don't know

23. Did the angels appear to the shepherds a. before b. during

c. after the birth of Jesus?

24. When was Jesus born? a. daytime b. evening c. night d. we don't

know

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The Christmas Story as told by God.

BIRTH:

"And it came to pass, in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered. (And this registration was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be registered, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be registered with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)

ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS:

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were very much afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." (Luke 2:8-20)

(The circumcision, adoration of Simeon and testimony of Anna are found in Luke 2:21-38)

MAGI:

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod, the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod, the king, had heard these things, he was troulbled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where the Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people, Israel. Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." (Matt 2:1-12)

EGYPT AND THE MASSACRE:

"And when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah, the prophet, saying, In Ramah was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mouning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." (Matt. 2:13-18)

EGYPT TO NAZARETH:

"But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead who sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there; notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee; And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." (Matt.2:19-23)

CHILDHOOD:

"And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him." (Luke 2:40)

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KEY TO TEST:

The answers below are based on the strict reading of the text and nothing else.

1. b

2. c

3. c

4. b

5. b

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. b

10. b

11. c

12. b

13. b

14. e

15. b

16. c

17. c

18. c

19. b

20. b

21. b

22. a

23. c

24. d