History
Characters
Customs
Various I
Various II
100
Bethlehem
Where, according to tradition, was Jesus of Nazareth born?
100
Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Saint Nick
What are other names and versions of Father Christmas/Pappa Noel?
100
mistletoe
What is the name of the plant used as a decoration under which lovers are expected to kiss during Xmas time?
100
Kislev 25th
On which date in the Hebrew calendar does Chanukkah start?
100
December 25th
On which date do most Christians celebrate Christmas?
200
167 BCE
When did the revolt of the Maccabees start?
200
Judas, Judah, Yehudah
What is the first name of the leader of the Jewish revolt against the Greeks?
200
"A Great Miracle Happened Here/There"
What do the Hebrew letters on the dreidel (four-sided spinning top, a toy that is part of the Chanukkah tradition) mean?
200
dedication, inauguration
What does the word 'Chanukkah' mean?
200
Red, white, green
What are the traditional colors of Christmas?
300
4 BC/BCE - 33 AD/CE
When did Jesus of Nazareth live, approximately?
300
Hasmoneans
What is the name of the dynasty started by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers?
300
Latkes/Levivot
What is the name of the potato pancakes eaten during Chanukkah?
300
January 6th & 7th
When do Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas?
300
9
What is the number of branches that a Chanukkiya (Chanukka candelabrum) has?
400
Seleucid Empire
Which empire did the Maccabees revolt against?
400
Mattityahu (Matthaeus) Ben Yohanan
What was the name of the priest whose sons led the Jewish revolt against the Greeks?
400
Druids, the Norse, the Greek, etc.
For whom was the mistletoe a divine plant?
400
Yule(tide)
What is the name of the Germanic festival that falls around December 25th?
400
Myra
In which town in modern-day Turkey was St. Nicholas a bishop?
500
The year of our Lord
What does Anno Domini (AD) mean?
500
Ulysses S. Grant
Which American President declared Christmas a federal holiday (in 1870)?
500
light, presents, food, family, songs
What are some of the elements that Chanukkah and Christmas have in common?
500
James Pierpont (1822-1893)
Who wrote the song 'Jingle Bells' (One Horse Open Sleigh)?
500
Martin Luther
Who is traditionally credited with being the first to add lighted candles to an evergreen tree?