How much do you know about the birth of Jesus Christ?

By Steve A. Hamilton

Christmas is the season when a majority of the world celebrates the birth of Christ.  It is also the time of year for vast amounts of misinformation.  Perhaps this is because most people have not read the narratives in the Bible about Christ’s birth.  Sadly, people continue to promote false accounts of the events surrounding the birth of our savior.

Since this is the season in which people are mindful of Christ’s birth, below are some questions that might help put the misconceptions to rest.  Try answering the questions without looking at the references then compare your understanding to the truth found in the scriptures.    

 1.       How many books in the New Testament narrate the birth of Christ?

2.       Was Jesus born in Judea? (Matt. 2:1)

3.       Did Joseph marry Mary before the birth of Jesus? (Matt. 1:24-25)

4.       Did Joseph ever contemplate putting Mary away? (Matt. 1:19-20)

5.       What political event was occurring in the days surrounding Christ’s birth? (Luke 2:1-2)

6.       In what city was Mary and Joseph married? (Comp. Matt. 1:24 w/ Lk 2:4-5)

7.       How many shepherds were there? (Luke 2:8)

8.       How many wise men were there? (Matt. 2:1-12)

9.       Did the wise men go directly to Bethlehem to worship Christ? (Matt. 2:1)

10.       Did the wise men find Jesus in a manger? (Matt. 2:11)

11.    Who saw Jesus in a manger? (Luke 2:15-17)

12.    What gifts did the Shepard's give Jesus? (Luke 2:8-20)

13.    What gifts did the wise men give Jesus? (Matt. 2:11)

14.    Was there a bright star over the manger? (Matt. 2:7-11)

15.    How do we know Joseph and Mary were poor? (Luke 2:24 comp. Lev. 12:8)

16.    Did Joseph and Mary depart Bethlehem directly for Egypt? (Luke 2:22)

17.    Who was told “by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ?” (Luke 2:26)

18.    Who else beside the Shepherd's and wise men saw Jesus soon after His birth? (Luke 2:25, 36)

19.    Who tried to kill Jesus soon after His birth? (Matt. 2:13)

20.    Where did Jesus live after He left Egypt? (Matt. 2:23)

21.    Was Mary a virgin all of her life? (Matt. 1:25)

22.    Was Jesus born in December? (Luke 1:26, 36, 42; 2:8)

Last modified: 05/02/08