Biblical Christmas True-False Answers

Here are the answers to the Biblical Christmas True-False Quiz from yesterday.

1. T There are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas story. I'm sure that he said something, but there is absolutely no record of him speaking at all.

2. F The wise men were three kings from the orient. The number of wise men is not mentioned. They were not kings.

3. F The little drummer boy came to the manger after the other shepherds. What little drummer boy? There is no mention of a drummer boy in the Bible.

4. T The star did not appear above the manger. It appeared above the house where Joseph's family was living (Matthew 2:9-11).

5. T Jesus' ancestors include a prostitute, an adulterer, a woman who committed incest, and a non-Israelite. Rahab was a prostitute, David & Uriah's wife were adulterers, Tamar & Judah committed incest, and Ruth was from Moab. Matthew 1:3,5,6.

6. F The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then Gabriel appeared to Joseph. Trick question. Mary was first, but we don't know the name of the angel who appeared to Joseph (Matthew 1:20). It might have been Harold. You know, "Hark the Harold Angel Sings."

7. F Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. A donkey does not appear any where in the Biblical account. She probably walked.

8. T Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a decree by Caesar Augustus. Yep. Luke 2:1-5.

9. F The wise men followed the star as it moved from their eastern land to Israel. Apparently not. The wise men saw the star in the east (Matthew 2:2). But it did not take them to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem they asked for directions. Once leaving Jerusalem the star appeared again and led them to the house in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9).

10. T The wise men did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth. The wise men arrive sometime after Jesus is born (Matthew 2:1). Jesus is called a child, rather than a baby (Matthew 2:11). He may have been as old as two (Matthew 2:7,16).

11. F God sent a choir of chubby angels to announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Actually God sent an army of warrior angels. See Luke 2:13. "Company" and "host" are military terms.

12. F Shepherding was considered a very noble occupation. In first century B.C., shepherding was close to what we would consider garbage collecting. Shepherds were unable to remain ritually pure according to Pharisaic laws and so were considered unclean. Yet God chose them for His birth announcement.

13. T Both Joseph and Mary were told that the baby was to be named "Jesus." Yes. See Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31. Babies were always named by their father. God the Father gives Jesus his name.

14. F When Herod heard about Jesus he was the only one concerned about this new king. All Jerusalem was disturbed by this news of a new king (Matthew 2:3).

15. F The wise men found Jesus lying in a manager in the town of Bethlehem. Jesus was in a house by this time (Matthew 2:11).

16. T After the angels announcement the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see Jesus. Correct. They were excited! They did not hesitate. They did not pass "Go" and stop to collect their $200. Luke 2:15-16.

17. T Joseph married Mary immediately after the angel appeared to him. Yes. His obedience was quick, cheerful and complete. Matthew 1:24.

18. F Some of the shepherds doubted and refused to believe the message they heard from the angels. They went to see the baby right away, they spread the word, and they praised God for what they had been permitted to see and hear. No doubt there. Luke 2:15-20.