The Story of Christmas

Who did the angels appear to first to announce the birth of Jesus and why?

Shepherds; God appeared to humble to show he was a savior for all of mankind regardless of position, wealth or status.

Where was Jesus born?

Bethlehem

What is the third Sunday of Advent called and why?

Gaudete Sunday; Gaudete means "rejoice". We rejoice because the waiting for Jesus' birth is almost over - a week to go! (Entrance Antiphon in "rejoice".)

Why is Abraham so important? In which bible testament would be read about Abraham? (old or new)

God selects him and all his descendants to be God's holy people from whom Jesus would be born.

Who wanted to kill Baby Jesus?

Herod

How is Adam and Eve biblical story connected to the birth of Jesus?

Jesus' birth is the long-promised savior that God had first promised after Adam and Eve sinned. (Resurrection/Easter marks the fulfillment of the scriptures.)

Why was Jesus born?

Long ago people turned away from God (Adam & Eve and other in the Old Testament stories) and became separated from Him. Jesus was God coming to be one of us. We couldn't get back to God so He came to us.

What is the event called when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her she would be the mother of Jesus?

The Annunciation ("Announce")

Christmas wasn't celebrated for over 300 years after Jesus died. (True or False?)

True. (The first Christmas was celebrated on December 25th, 336 A.D.)

How many candles on the Advent Wreath and what are the colors?

Four candles; 3 purple and 1 pink

How many days after Christmas is the Epiphany celebrated?

12 days ("12th night is the eve of the Epiphany)

What is a tradition of the Epiphany? (Hint: something sweet.)

A king cake. It is traditional in many countries to bake a cake (King Cake) in honor of the three kings. The cake is "to draw the kings" to the Epiphany. A figurine or toy ( la fève) is often hidden in the cake, and the person who finds the trinket in his or her slice becomes king for the day and will have to offer the next cake.

Who are the father and mother of John the baptist?

Elizabeth (Mary's Cousin) and Zechariah

The Bible says Jesus was born in December. (True or False?)

False. (The Bible does not state the exact date of Jesus' birth.)

The three wise men (magi) were present at Jesus' birth. (True or False?)

False. (They came 12 days later.)

What did Mary and Joseph do to avoid Herod?

Fled Bethlehem and moved to Egypt

Who appeared to tell Mary that she was with child?

The angel Gabriel

Why are the sins of Adam and Eve so important? What did God promise at this time?

Their actions brought sin and death into the world. God promised a Savior that would one day defeat sin and death.

What gifts did the magi bring to Jesus?

They brought 3 gifts: Gold, Frankincense (sweet smelling incense) and Myrrh (spicy ointment)

Where did the magi (or three wise men) go first to find baby Jesus?

They went to Herod first and asked if he knew about baby Jesus.

What is the Epiphany and when did it occur?

This feast day is meant to commemorate the day in which the wise man arrived to see the baby Jesus.

Why wasn't Jesus born in Nazareth where Mary lived? Why did Joseph travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem anyway?

To register and pay taxes as per the kings mandate.

How did Adam and Eve sin?

When the serpent tempted them into eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which God had forbidden.