The Nativity Story
The names of Jesus' parents
Mary and Joseph
(Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are sometimes referred to as the Holy Family)
Also referred to as the "Father of Christmas", this figure is loosely based on the life and story of St. Nicholas
Who is Santa Clause
(St. Nicholas was very generous and gave gifts to the poor in secret)
This is the Saint who baptized Jesus
Who is St. John the Baptist
(He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry -- Matthew 3:11)
The bright light that shone down on Jesus and gave witness to His Divinity
What is a star
(Behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was -- Matthew 2:9)
"Silent Night, ____ _____"
What is "Holy Night"
Most babies sleep in a crib, but the baby Jesus slept in this instead
What is a manger
(She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn -- Matthew 2:7)
St. Nicholas was ordained as a priest and later chosen to act in this role, where he oversaw all of the other priests and laypeople living in the region of Myra
What is a bishop
(Myra was located in the Byzantine Empire, in modern-day Turkey)
If you've been to Church on the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, you've probably received this item from the priest
What is Holy Water
These two animals are depicted next to Jesus
What are the ox and the donkey
(The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master's crib -- Isaiah 1:3)
"Hark! the herald angels sing, '_____ __ ___ _______ ____'"
What is "Glory to the newborn King"
The gifts that the 3 wise men presented to Jesus after his birth
What are gold, frankincense, and myrrh
(Gold is for the King of ages, Frankincense for the God of all, Myrrh is offered to the Immortal One, who shall be three days dead)
When the parents of St. Nicholas passed, they left him a large sum of money; this is what he chose to do with that inheritance
What is give it away to the poor and needy
(His progress in the virtue of almsgiving was his greatest glory to God)
An alternate name for this feast day, that has its roots in the Greek word for God
What is Theophany
These two men are shown tending to their flock, as a group of angels appears to them and announces the birth of Christ
Who are the shepherds
(Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people -- Luke 2:10)
"____ __ _ ______, no crib for a bed"
What is "Away in a manger"
The number of Gospels (out of 4) that tell the story of Jesus' birth
What is 2
(Matthew and Luke)
St. Nicholas gifted money to those in need, not by bringing it down the chimney, but by this method instead
What is throwing it in through the window
(St. Nicholas wanted his gifts to be given in secret, so that they could be accepted without reservation or embarrassment)
This word, which can mean a sudden revelation or insight, is another alternate name for this feast day
What is Epiphany
(The Epiphany of Christ is the point in the Gospel story at which He is revealed to be the Son of God)
The structure that Mary and Jesus took shelter under after Jesus' birth
What is a cave
(This is a testament to Christ's humility as well as a foreshadowing of His death and Resurrection)
"God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, Remember ______ ___ ______ ___ ____ on Christmas Day"
What is "Christ our Savior was born"
The place that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph traveled to after Jesus' birth
What is Egypt?
(They were fleeing from the evil king Herod, who wished to kill Jesus)
The date that the feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated in the Orthodox Church
What is December 6th?
As part of the celebration of this feast, it is a common tradition for the faithful to visit a body of water and engage in this friendly competition
What is diving for a cross
Joseph is not depicted next to Mary and Jesus, but in the distance with this expression on his face
What is worry/doubt/confusion
(Joseph is worried because he is much older than Mary, and her having a Child is seen as scandalous)
"O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive ______"
What is "Israel"