Food & Songs
What is the traditional beverage left out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve in the United States?
a. Milk
b. Hot chocolate
c. Eggnog
d. Coffee
Milk
In which country did the Christmas tree tradition begin?
a. France
b. Germany
c. England
d. Lichtenstein
The Christmas tree tradition was started in Germany by the church reformer Martin Luther. Legend has it that upon returning home one winter night, he was so in awe of the stars twinkling in the sky through the branches of the trees that as soon as he got back, he cut down a small fir tree and decorated it with candles to demonstrate it to his family. This then spread throughout Germany and further afield through to America.
Families in this country will often leave an empty seat at their Christmas dinner table for an unexpected guest — anyone looking for a warm meal, whether they be a wandering traveler or someone with no place to spend the night.
a. Czechs Republic
b. Poland
c. Germany
d. Austria
Polish families believe no one should spend Christmas alone, so they set up an extra seat at the dinner table for any wanderer who might join last minute.
The three Wise men or Three Kings, were called Malchior, Balthasor, and Casper. According to Western church, which countries do each of them represent?
According to Western church tradition, Balthasar is often represented as a king of Arabia or sometimes Ethiopia, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Gaspar as a king of India.
Why did the Grinch become evil?
a. hated the world
b. got bullied and made fun of
c. had had bad Christmas experience
d. got a lump of coal
got bullied and made fun of
Singing carols is a crucial part of Christmas night celebrations in this Eastern European country. In many regions, a group of carolers will feature singers, drummers … and at least one man dressed as a bear.
a. Bulgaria
b. The Ukrain
c, Romania
d. Moldova
Romania - The dancing bear is meant to symbolize the new beginning the upcoming year will bring.
Cutting an apple is usually regarded as a fairly harmless activity, but in which country can this tradition predict some macabre events?
a. Slovenia
b. Slovakia
c. Switzerland
d.Austria
The Slovaks — the head of the family cuts an apple crosswise; if the seeds show a star, then a happy year is predicted for the recipient. However, if the seeds show a cross, then expect quite the opposite. Recipients of the cross in the apple might want to make an appointment with the doctor and start to draw up that bucket list they’ve been planning for the last few years.
Which ONE is Santa's real reindeer?
a. Cupid
b. Rudolf
c. Blitzer
d. Comit
Cupid
Around the catholic part of the world, people write three letters "C+M+B", which are the first letters of the names of the Three Kings? This is a new year's blessing for the occupants and it carries a certain meaning. What meaning does the blessing carry?
"Christus mansionem benedicat" ("May/Let Christ Bless This House").[
Sir Henry Cole and his artist friend John Horsley began a custom in Britain in 1843 which has spread far beyond the boundaries of Britain. What is this custom?
Christmas cards.
The Penny Post began in 1840 which made postage more affordable because trains could carry letters in bulk. This led to the first Christmas Cards which were sold for a shilling each. Sending cards became more popular when it became possible to send them in an unsealed envelope for a halfpenny and when printing methods gradually improved to make their production cheaper.
The new custom started to spread to the USA in the late 1840s. The Christmas Cracker was invented by Tom Smith in 1850, the Christmas Tree was brought to Britain by Prince Albert from Germany in the 1840s while the burning of the Yule Log dates back to Medieval times and was originally associated with the Winter Solstice.
According to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, what did your true love give to you on the sixth?
a. Gold rings
b. Maids a milking
c. Geese a laying
d. Calling birds
Geese a laying
Which country does not have its nativity plays set in Bethlehem?
a. Italy
b. Switzerland
c. Slovenia
Nativity scenes are big in Slovenia but with a difference — rather than the traditional Bethlehem setting they take place in alpine pastures along with mountains and dairy cows. A particular specialty is the living nativity scene, such as that held each year at Postojna Cave, which can possibly lay claim to being the site of the world’s deepest underground nativity play.
In some parts of Europe, Christmas is as creepy as it is cold. Saint Nicholas has an unwelcoming collaborator in this country, who bears a resemblance to Bigfoot.
a. The Skoohum (the UK and Ireland)
b. The Rusalka (Poland and Slovakia)
c. The Krampus (Austria)
A furry beast with horns and a menacing smirk, the Krampus is a fixture at Austrian Christmas markets. While children who behave will be getting presents, naughty children can expect an unwelcome visit from the sour Krampus.
The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. It gives individuals the opportunity to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior in the Flesh on December 25. When does the Nativity Fast start and end?
Beginning on November 15 and concluding on December 24 = 40 days before Christmas.
Which state in the US has a town called Christmas?
a. Alaska
b. Michigan
c. California
d. Florida
Christmas is a community of about 1,100 people on Florida State Road 50 about 24 miles east of Orlando and 16 miles west of Titusville and Kennedy Space Center.
On December 25, 1837, 2,000 U.S. Army soldiers arrived in this area and started building the fort. They named it for the day of their arrival.
What is the name of the Christmas song in France that is sung about a snowman?
a. Mon Beau Sapin
b. Petit Papa Noel
c. Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant
d. Bonhomme Hiver
Bonhomme Hiver
Which country’s settlers introduced the story of Santa Claus to North America?
a. Germany
b. The Netherlands
c. Poland
d. Austria
Dutch settlers introduced the story of Santa Claus when they arrived on American shores in what was then known as New Amsterdam in the 1600s. However, German settlers can claim credit for the introduction of Christmas trees into this part of the world.
Aside from making room for Santa Claus on Christmas, chimneys across this country welcome another visitor in early January — in the form of a witch.
a. Malta
b. Croatia
c. Italy
d. Poland
In Italian folklore, the Befana is an old witch who shot down an invitation to witness the birth of Christ. Devastated and riddled with regret over her decision, she’s been journeying across the country looking for baby Jesus ever since. On the night of January 5, the Befana shoots down the chimney on her broomstick to give good children gifts and bad children coal. Families typically leave out a small glass of wine and some food for her.
Some countries have a service during the Christmas period which involves children making an item from an orange, a candle, four sticks, a red ribbon and fruit & nuts. What is this item called and the service named after it?
a. Christkindl
b. Christingle
c. Sir Christimas
d. Christcandle
The Christingle probably began in the Czech Republic where such services have been held for over 200 years. The orange represents the World, the candle is to give light like the love of God, the red ribbon is a symbol of the blood Jesus shed, the four sticks represent the four points of the compass and the four seasons and the fruit and nuts represent the fruits of the Earth nurtured by the sun and the rain.
The tradition began when a poor child's gift to the crib was an orange which was partly moldy so she decorated it and still brought it. The priest acknowledged it by telling the congregation how special it was for the above reasons.
Which city, famous for its ‘Christmas Market’ is also known as the ‘Gingerbread Capital of the World’?
a. Bucharest, Romania
b. Nuremburg, Germany
c. Geneva, Switzerland
d. Prague, Czech Republic
Lebkuchen bakers are recorded as early as 1296 in Ulm and 1395 in Nuremberg, Germany. Nuremberg was recognized as the "Gingerbread Capital of the World" when in the 1600s the guild started to employ master bakers and skilled workers to create complicated works of art from gingerbread.
What is the name of the British Christmas dish made from minced meat, suet, and dried fruits, typically encased in pastry?
a. Yorkshire Pudding
b. Cornish Pastry
c. Black Pudding
d. Mince Pie
Mince Pie
What old Christmas tradition signals to people passing by that the residents of a house are Christian?
Putting candles in the window
It was not only a way for residents to show their faith but also an invitation for other Christians to join them in celebration.
In a different approach to Christmas decorations, people from this country adorn their festive trees with spiderwebs.
a. Serbia
b. Albania
c. Moldova
d. Ukraine
Ukraine. Legend says a long time ago, a poor old widow and her children wanted nothing more than some holiday cheer. They grew their Christmas tree from a pine cone, but decorations were hard to come by. On Christmas Day, they awoke to find a spider had adorned their tree with cobwebs, their beautiful patterns glistening in the morning light.
Gabriel was the angel who announced to Mary that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus. What does the Hebrew name Gabriel mean? (Hint: a quality of one's arms!)
God is my strength.
The Hebrew name Gabriel implies 'God (who is love via 1 John 4:8,16) is my strength'. Isaiah or the name Jesus implies 'God saves'. Malachi means 'God's messenger'. Archangel Michael's name implies 'Who is like God?' from the Hebrew name - Mikha'el.
The French word “Noel” is often used around Christmas, but what was its original meaning in Latin?
Birth