Music
Written by Irving Berlin, this song became the best-selling single in world history after Bing Crosby popularized it.
What is “White Christmas”?
This Old Testament prophet’s words about a ruler from Bethlehem are explicitly quoted by Matthew to explain Jesus’ birthplace.
Who is Micah?
This country celebrates Christmas with a twelve course meal, one for each disciple.
What is Ukraine?
This dense spiced loaf is often studded with dried fruits and nuts, surviving from European traditions but still common in Southern gift baskets.
What is fruitcake?
In It’s a Wonderful Life, Clarence earns these upon helping George realize his worth.
What are wings?
Nat King Cole’s famous recording of this song begins not with sleigh bells, but with a warm vocal line referencing chestnuts.
What is “The Christmas Song”?
Luke notes that this relative of Mary was in her sixth month of pregnancy when the angel visited Mary.
Who is Elizabeth?
In this country, children place their polished shoes outside the door for the Three Kings to fill with sweets on January 6th instead of receiving most gifts on December 25th.
What is Spain?
This rich beverage, originally an English winter drink, often appears in homemade Southern variations involving cream, eggs, and nutmeg.
What is eggnog?
This 1947 film features a department-store Santa who claims to be the real Kris Kringle.
What is Miracle on 34th Street?
This Latin carol, translated by Frederick Oakeley, is known in English as “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
What is “Adeste Fideles”?
According to Matthew, these travelers “opened their treasures,” a phrase indicating diplomatic gifting rather than casual generosity.
Who are the Magi?
In this country, a Kentucky Fried Chicken meal on Christmas Eve has become so iconic that reservations are often required months in advance.
What is Japan?
This spiced tea, popular in Southern church gatherings, mixes orange drink powder, instant tea, and spices.
What is Russian tea?
This modern Christmas comedy sees a North Pole orphan overwhelm New York City with his enthusiasm for “the world’s best cup of coffee.”
What is Elf?
This carol’s haunting minor-key melody originates from 15th-century France, though its English lyrics appeared centuries later.
What is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”?
Luke’s gospel uniquely mentions that Jesus was laid in this object “because there was no room for them in the katalyma.”
What is a manger?
Families in this nation often celebrate Christmas by gathering on December 24th for a feast called “Réveillon,” which may include dishes like cod, turkey with chestnuts, and the bûche de Noël cake.
What is France?
This Christmas dessert features layers of cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream assembled in a glass bowl.
What is a trifle?
In Home Alone, this black-and-white gangster film Kevin watches is actually fictional and created just for the movie.
What is Angels With Filthy Souls?
This song, now a holiday standard, was originally written for a Thanksgiving celebration in 1857.
What is “Jingle Bells”?
Luke notes that Mary and Joseph brought a pair of turtledoves or pigeons to the Temple for this ritual, indicating their modest economic status.
What is the purification offering?
In this Alpine nation, a horned creature accompanies St. Nicholas on December 5th, threatening naughty children while his jolly partner rewards the good.
What is Austria?
Before refrigerators were common, families prepared this preserved dessert of cooked apples flavored with cinnamon and citrus to last through winter.
What is apple butter?
Hallmark plots often feature this trope in which a busy career-oriented protagonist returns to a small hometown to rediscover love and Christmas spirit.
What is the “return-to-hometown romance” trope?