Bible
The story of the nativity is found in this book and chapter, typically read in Christmas pageants
The story of this guy, Santa's brightest helper, began with a poem, then became a song, then became several movies
Who is Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer?
The celebration was originally called "Christ's" this, meaning a celebration of Communion. It was later shortened to Christmas
What is Mass?
in the Medieval period, Christmas was celebrated from December 25 until January 6, a tradition that led to this repetitive but beloved song
What is the 12 days of Christmas?
While the typical nativity scene shows many people at the manger on the night of Jesus' birth, these visitors did not arrive until several years later
Who are the wise men?
It's a carol named after a fictional extra character at the nativity, whose only gift to the newborn King is music
Who is the little drummer boy?
This saint, whose feast day is celebrated during the Christmas season, is known for his secret generosity, sometimes by leaving gifts in stockings
Who is Saint Nicholas?
The tradition of the Christmas tree began in northern Europe, when Saint Boniface suggested that the German tribes use a fir tree to remember Christ, instead of using an oak tree to worship this hammer-wielding false god
Who is Thor?
Jesus' parents sacrificed two of these animals at his purification ceremony eight days after his birth
What are birds/pigeons/turtledoves?
Tiny Tim says this iconic line at the end of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
What is "God bless us, every one"?
It is the year traditionally associated with the birth of Christ. Ironically, our best modern estimates place it in 4 or 5 BC instead
What is 1 AD?
This kind of cookie was first seen in the court of Elizbeth the first, and an army of them makes an appearance in the Nutcracker Ballet
What is a gingerbread man?
The number of years between the last writings of the Old Testament and the appearance of Jesus, also called the inter-testamental period
What is four hundred?
This good king looked out on the feast of Stephen, and saw a poor man who needed some generosity
Who is Wenceslaus?
This group of early American Christians opposed the observation of Christmas, since its celebration was not specifically mentioned in the Bible
Who were the Puritans?
Charles Dickens started this small tradition. It's the standard Christmas greeting
What is "Merry Christmas"?
John's gospel opens by echoing the first words of Genesis, stating "In the beginning was" this, called "Logos" in the original Greek
What is the word?
A visit from St. Nicholas, the poem that gave us the names of Santa's reindeer, is most commonly known by its first line, which is this
What is "T'was the night before Christmas"?
Before the spread of Christianity, pagan Rome celebrated this astronomical event on December 25, associating it with their sun god.
What is the winter solstice?
This Christmas treat was designed by a German confectioner to look like a shepherd's staff
What is a candy cane?