Bible Name Changes
Saul of Tarsus had his name changed to this after a dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus as described in Acts 9.
Who was the Apostle Paul?
Saul (Hebrew name) was changed to Paul (Roman / Latin name) which marked his broader missionary work of being the Apostle to the Gentiles. Prior to his encounter with Jesus, Saul was a Pharisee persecuting Christians.
Around 1.8 billion of these are sold every year in the United States, with about 90% of them sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What are candy canes?
The Keller Machine was introduced in 1957 to automate the bending process. Prior to this, the canes were bent by hand with around 20% breaking in the process.
This is the city of Jesus' birth.
What is Bethlehem?
Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth but had to travel to Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus ordered a census and this required Joseph to register in his ancestral hometown. This fulfilled prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Poinsettia plants were brought to the United States from this country.
What is Mexico?
The plant is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US Ambassador to Mexico.
There are this many Hebrew tribes.
What are 12?
Named after the 12 sons of Jacob. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. The tribes will generally leave out Simeon and Joseph (replaced by his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim). Simeon was left out because of Jacob's curse on him because of his actions in Genesis 34 (The Dinah incident).
In Genesis 17, God changed Abram (exalted father) and Sarai (my princess) to these names when they were 99 and 89 years old, respectively.
Who were Abraham and Sarah?
In Genesis 18, Sarah laughed within herself when Abraham was told she would bear a child in her advanced age.
This song is sung at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life", but it is more commonly associated with new year's eve.
What is Auld Lang Syne?
Means "old long since".
This is the meaning of Emmanuel (Immanuel).
What is 'God with Us'?
The name Immanuel is used three times - two times in the old testament and once in the new testament - Matthew 1:23.
A Christmas tree lighting ceremony has occurred at this location in New York City every year since 1933 (except for 1942 to the end of WWII because of blackout regulations).
What is the Rockefeller Center?
Since 2007, the tree displayed at Rockefeller Center has been milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity. This year's tree is a Norway Spruce that is 75' tall, 45' in diameter and weighs 11 tons. The tallest tree displayed has been 100' tall.
King David was from this tribe.
What is the tribe of Judah?
Since Jesus descended from King David, He also is from the tribe of Judah.
After wrestling with God in Genesis 32, Jacob's (supplanter or deceiver) name was changed to this.
What is Israel (he strives with God)?
As Jacob wrestled with God, his hip was displaced.
This dance company was founded in 1925 in St. Louis but moved to Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 1932.
What are The Rockettes?
All dancers are required to be between 5' 5" and 5' 10.5" tall. The taller dancers are in aligned in the middle so that it appears all the dancers have a uniform height.
This King tried unsuccessfully to kill Jesus as a baby.
Who was King Herod?
King Herod was the Roman-appointed ruler of Judea. According to the Gospel of Matthew, he tried to kill baby Jesus by ordering the "Massacre of the Innocents" in Bethlehem, killing all male infants under two after Magi told him of the new King.
This Christmas Eve tradition began in the 1950's because of a young boy's call to the wrong number.
What is the tracking of Santa by NORAD?
The wrong number was printed in a Sears ad in Colorado Springs. Although not officially named, it is reported that the boy was grounded for months by his parents. Ironically, he never made Santa's naughty list.
King Saul (Israel's first king) was from this tribe.
What is the tribe of Benjamin?
Benjamin was Jacob's last son.
This was the name given to Daniel by the chief of the eunuchs for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon after Judah was conquered.
What was Belteshazzar?
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were also given new names - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
In 1985, Johnny Carson quipped on the Tonight Show, 'There is only one of these in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.
What is a fruitcake?
The earliest reference to fruitcake is found in ancient Roman archives. In 2007, a 106-year-old fruitcake was discovered in East Antarctica. The archeologists found the cake to be in 'excellent condition' and 'almost edible'! So it was just like a fresh fruitcake.
They were the first to hear of Christ's birth.
Who are the shepherds?
God chose humble, overlooked people to reveal His greatest news, signifying Jesus' mission to the poor and marginalized, and foreshadowing His role as the "Good Shepherd".
In 2011, a national day of remembrance was established to pay homage to these obnoxious and tacky fashion garments.
What are ugly Christmas sweaters?
Sadly, there is no national ugly sweater contest.
This tribe did not receive its own specific territory in the Promised Land because they were selected for priestly duties.
What is the tribe of Levi?
The Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites were the three clans of the Levite tribe and were named after the three sons of Levi. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were Kohathites.
Before Moses sent the 12 spies into the land of Canaan (the promised land), he changed the name of Hoshea the son of Nun to this more well-known name.
Who was Joshua? Numbers 13
There were only two men that left Egypt and were allowed by God to enter the promised land - Joshua and Caleb.
Jesus was presented with these three gifts from the wise men upon His birth.
What are gold, frankincense, and myrrh?
Gold was a symbol of divinity. Frankincense was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice. Myrrh symbolizes suffering and affliction.
This prophet that foretold a virgin shall give birth to a son called Emmanuel.
Who was the Prophet Isaiah?
Isaiah 7:14 prophecies the virgin birth.
Many of Scandinavian decent begin preparation of this fish dish on December 9th by soaking fish in lye to that the fish will be the perfect consistency on Christmas Eve.
What is lutefisk?
December 9th is national Lutefisk Day as a way to start preparation of the fish. The fish is soaked in lye.
Jacob fathered his 13 children with this many women.
What is four?
Leah (Bilhah - handmaid) and Rachel (Zilpahy - handmaid) - Leah and Rachel were sisters whose father was Laban. Jacob wanted to marry Rachel but was first tricked into marrying Leah (Genesis 29). Dinah was his only daughter (child #11).