Christmas Quiz

Baby Jesus

While Christmas is a favorite holiday of many, it’s important to remember the history and meaning of the holiday season.  For some friendly competition, take this festive quiz with your family to brush up on your Christmas knowledge.  Throw in a prize to up the ante!  Answers below.

1. Where did the idea of Santa Claus originate?
2. When and where was Christmas once banned?
3. Why is the 26^th of December called Boxing Day?
4. What was the 26^th of December traditionally called?
5. When is Jesus Christ’s birthday?
6. In what year was Christmas declared a federal holiday in America?  .
7. In which country was eggnog invented?
8. When are the busiest shopping days of the year?
9. Where and when did the tradition of Christmas trees originate?
10. Which language does the abbreviation ‘Xmas’ come from?

St. Nicholas

Answers

1. From St. Nicholas; a 4^th century Greek Bishop who lived in present day Turkey and devoted his life and resources to help those in need.
2. From 1644-1660 in England.  The puritans of the British Parliament deemed it unholy to celebrate.
3. Money was once collected by churches on the 26th in alms boxes.
4. St. Stephen’s Day
5. There is no date on record in the bible.  Pope Julius I chose December 25^th to coincide with the pagan Saturnalia celebrations.
6. In 1870, after the Puritans lost power.
7. In America.
8. The Friday and Saturday before Christmas.
9. In 16^th century Germany.
10. Greek.  The ‘X’ in Xmas is the first letter in the Greek word for ‘Christ’.

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