A Biblical Family Christmas Quiz!

Answer: the Holy Spirit

The angel Gabriel (in Luke Chapter 1) appeared to Mary and explained that the loving power of the Holy Spirit (God's own Spirit) would overshadow her and she would conceive and give birth to a holy son whose name would be Jesus, and He would save His people from their sins.

Answer: God is my strength.

The Hebrew name Gabriel implies 'God(who is love via 1 John 4:8,16) is my strength'. Isaiah or the name Jesus implies 'God saves'. Malachi means 'God's messenger'. Archangel Michael's name implies 'Who is like God?' from the Hebrew name - Mikha'el.

Answer: Egypt

Herod gave a decree to kill all male children approximately two years and younger in Bethlehem and its vicinity, as he was worried about Jesus and the Jewish prophecy about the Messianic King. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream after the visit of the Magi, telling him to escape the coming persecution and to flee to Egypt.

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord visited Joseph in a dream and the holy family returned and settled in Nazareth in Galilee. (Matthew Chapter 2)

Answer: After the baby Jesus was presented in the Temple (after the 41st day)

Since Joseph and his wife Mary and son Jesus escaped to Egypt as soon as the Magi had worshiped Jesus and presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and returned to their land, it is generally widely accepted, given the time constraints, that this Magi visit would have occurred only after the Presentation of Jesus (which would have happened sometime after the 40th day from His birth, according to Leviticus 12:1-8) in the Temple.

(Matthew 2:11,13-14) - "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ... When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.' So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt."

(Luke 2:22) - 'When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord.')"

Also, the Magi were not necessarily three (sometimes believed because of the three gifts) in number, although three being a God number (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit) is favoured. All we know is that they were two or more in number. Additionally, Mary and Joseph offered two pigeons at the Presentation, rather than the more expensive option of lamb and turtledove (Leviticus 12:1-8), which implies they had not yet received the costly Magi gifts.

Answer: Shepherds in the fields

Luke Chapter 2:6-12 - "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David(a former shepherd himself!) a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'"

A great company of heavenly Host appeared in the fields to the shepherds praising God and speaking blessings of peace and favor to people, with the glory of God shining all round them. The shepherds then hurried to see Jesus and after that they spread the good news of what they had heard about the child.

Answer: the day of His Circumcision

As per Jewish customs, law and tradition (Genesis 17:10-14) the child is circumcised (usually performed by a Mohel or Circumciser) and named on the eighth day (officially the day starts from dusk or sunset of the previous day). Usually the Mohel visits the home of the person to be circumcised.

Answer: Mary hurried to be with and help her pregnant cousin Elizabeth

Angel Gabriel arrives and appears to Mary with his famous 'Hail highly favoured' greeting and message and informs her that she will give birth to the holy Son of God Jesus via the power of Almighty God's loving and holy Spirit. He then goes on to say that her elderly, formerly barren, cousin Elizabeth is already sixth months pregnant.

(Luke 1:38-40,56) '"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. ... Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months(approximately till she gave birth) and then returned home.'

Answer: Elizabeth (descended from Aaron) was Mary's cousin (relative)

(Luke 1:5-6) 'In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly.'

The Angel Gabriel confirms that Elizabeth is Mary's cousin (relative) later on in the same chapter (vs 36). This could imply (however does not definitely prove) that Mary is also descended from Aaron.

Answer: Mary had a more believing attitude rather than disbelieving.

Mary had a believing attitude even though she did ask Gabriel how it will be possible that she conceive and give birth to Jesus, as she was a virgin. Mary then accepted the words (Luke Chapter 1:38) - '"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.' Zechariah, on the other hand, was disbelieving from the very start and needed to be sure or needed further proof as he and his wife were elderly. Ironically Mary was rewarded for her faith as she exulted (rejoiced) in her spirit in God and glorified God with her soul (with her words) when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, while Zechariah was unable to speak as per Gabriel's words till the birth of his son John.

After John the Baptist was born, his father's tongue was loosened and he gave praise to God.

Answer: Christ

Messiah is the Hebrew word for 'Anointed One' and Christ is the Greek equivalent. Jesus (the English version of the Hebrew Yeshua and of the Greek Yesous) implies (like the name Isaiah) 'God saves' or 'God is salvation'. Therefore Jesus Christ implies the Holy Anointed Salvation of God.