In the Movies
In Home Alone, Kevin defends his house during Christmas while his family is away in this city.
What is Paris?
Charles Dickens wrote this classic story featuring the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
What is A Christmas Carol?
In many Catholic countries, Christmas Eve is known by this Latin-based name.
What is Nochebuena (or Vigilia)?
This feast, celebrated on January 6 in the Catholic Church, commemorates the visit of the Magi.
What is Epiphany?
This red-suited figure is inspired by Saint Nicholas of Myra.
Who is Santa Claus?
This 1946 film ends with an angel getting his wings after a bell rings.
What is It’s a Wonderful Life?
This author’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” begins, “’Twas the night before Christmas…”
Who is Clement Clarke Moore?
Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on this date.
What is January 7?
The Orthodox Church traditionally begins Christmas celebrations after this fasting period.
What is the Nativity Fast (or Advent Fast)?
The Advent wreath traditionally holds this number of candles.
What is four (plus one optional center Christ candle)?
This action film, set during a Christmas party, sparked debate about whether it's really a holiday movie.
What is Die Hard?
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Christmas finally comes when this character’s magic weakens.
Who is the White Witch?
In Germany and Austria, this terrifying Christmas figure is said to punish naughty children.
Who is Krampus?
In Catholic liturgy, the color worn by priests on Christmas Day is this.
What is white (or gold)?
This flower, native to Mexico, is widely associated with Christmas.
What is the poinsettia?
In The Polar Express, children board a magical train to visit this destination.
What is the North Pole?
Dr. Seuss wrote about this green character who tries to stop Christmas by stealing decorations.
Who is the Grinch?
In Greece, this traditional bread is often baked with a cross on top and eaten during the Orthodox Christmas feast.
What is Christopsomo (“Christ bread”)?
The Orthodox Christmas liturgy is often held at this unusual time of day.
What is midnight (or early morning)?
The Orthodox icon of the Nativity often includes this unique feature absent from Western nativity art.
What is the cave (instead of a stable)?
This Tim Burton film combines Halloween and Christmas with Jack Skellington as its unlikely hero.
What is The Nightmare Before Christmas?
This Russian writer’s short story The Beggar Boy at Christ’s Christmas Tree reflects Orthodox Christmas themes of suffering and redemption.
Who is Fyodor Dostoevsky?
This 12-day post-Christmas celebration, ending on Epiphany, is celebrated in both Western and Eastern traditions.
What is Christmastide (or the Twelve Days of Christmas)?
The difference in Christmas dates between most Orthodox and Catholic Churches is due to this calendar discrepancy.
What is the Julian vs. Gregorian calendar?
In Catholic tradition, this saint is said to have created the first nativity scene.
Who is St. Francis of Assisi?