We Three Kings Trivia Quiz

Answer: East

The word Orient usually refers to places in Asia, which are to the east of Europe. It comes from the Latin word 'oriens', which means rising - the sun rises in the east.

Answer: A flat highland area covered in grass and shrubs

This verse of the song is describing their long journey, and the physical obstacles they had to overcome - crossing farmland, rivers, mountains and scrublands as they travelled.

You can moor a boat by tying it up at a mooring, and the African Moors are also real people, but a second serving of food is more likely to be referred to as some more.

Answer: Comet

The Star of Bethlehem may well have been invented by Mark, the author of the only Gospel to mention its existence. It has been suggested that the image may have been inspired by the appearance of Halley's Comet at about the time when his gospel is believed to have been written. If there was another comet visible at the time and place of Jesus' birth, it has not been clearly identified by historians. Whether it was a real event or not, the star shining over the town of Bethlehem is a common feature of many Christmas stories.

Answer: It is leading the way to Jesus

The star is supposed to be hovering over the location of Jesus, so its light is the perfect way for them to find him and offer their gifts and worship. Because Jesus was expected to be the Messiah, also called the King of the Jews, this is also a royal beauty, associated with a king.

In an alternative wording to this verse, the phrase used is "Guide us to thy Perfect Light", where the Perfect Light refers to Jesus, who is metaphorically the Light of the World.

Answer: No

Bethlehem is located in the region of the Judean Mountains, about half a mile above sea level. Although this city is traditionally considered the birthplace of Jesus, modern scholars suggest that there wasn't actually any settlement there at the appropriate time, and that he may have been born in the town of Bethlehem in Galilee.

Answer: It will be made into a crown for the Messiah to wear

Gold is traditionally the metal from which royal crowns are made, often decorated with jewels to show the king's wealth and power. Although hitting someone over the head can be called crowning them, that is presumably not what the magi have in mind.

Answer: It is hardened resin from a tree

The tree Boswellia sacra produces the resin that dries to form the highest quality incense. It originated on the Arabian peninsula (in Yemen and Oman) and northeastern Africa (especially in Somalia). The word frankincense comes from French words meaning 'best incense'.

Answer: Jesus was said to have been given wine mixed with myrrh just before he was crucified

The Gospel of Mark (Chapter 15, verse 23 in the King James Version) relates that the soldiers who were about to crucify Jesus offered him a drink of wine which had been mixed with myrrh, which is very bitter. It is not poisonous, and is actually used for a number of medicinal purposes (but not as an antidote for arsenic poisoning). Like frankincense, it is a resinous product, but it comes from Commiphora bushes.

It was widely used as a perfume as well as a medicine.

Answer: After Jesus was crucified, he came back to life

The resurrection of Jesus is celebrated on Easter. Most Christians believe that he died and came back to life, so that he could help all people achieve everlasting life through their belief in him.

The Bible has no record of Jesus having any interaction with an alien spacecraft. Matthew (Chapter 14, verses 23-26 in the King James Version) does describe Jesus going up a mountain to pray, but there is no suggestion that it was any extraordinary feat. His subsequent walking on water was considered a miracle of faith, not levitation as such.

Answer: Praise the Lord

The word 'Alleluia', also written 'Hallelujah', comes from Hebrew words meaning 'praise ye Jah'. Ye is a word meaning all of you are to follow this instruction, and Jah is an abbreviation of Jahweh, the Hebrew term used to refer to the divine entity Christians call God. It is used as an expression of joy and triumph.

The word 'Amen' is often translated as 'so be it', and the Latin word 'Credo' (I believe) is the source for the name given to the summaries of faith called Creeds.