C Is for Christmas Trivia Quiz

Answer: Carols

Another name for carols is noels. Christmas carols first appeared in English during the early 15th century. An English pastor by the name of John Awdlay is credited with one of the first carol books which he entitled "Caroles of Cristemas". Today the tradition of wassailing and caroling continues across the world as friends and family go out into the community singing these special Christmas songs.

Answer: Holly

Holly is a flowering plant found in the Aquifoliaceae family. The tradition of hanging holly in the home predates Christmas with druids using it as a way to ward off evil spirits. Holly is recognized with the vibrant green of its leaves and the red of its berries as a stark contrast to winter. Holly, interestingly, is associated with men, while ivy is associated with women. Thus, the Christmas carol "The Holly and the Ivy" has particular significance in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Answer: Rudolph

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was the creation of Robert L. May who featured the little reindeer in a 1939 story where Rudolph and his red-nose were called upon to guide Santa's sleigh through some particularly bad weather. Perhaps Rudolph's most enduring fame is in the song, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

This song written by Johnny Marks and recorded in 1949 by Gene Autry became a huge number one song. In the first year, it sold over 2.5 million copies and until 1980 was the second-best record of all-time.

Answer: Italy

Babbo Natale literally translates in Italian to mean Father Christmas. There is a tradition in Italian homes where children put out a pair of shoes by their door the day before Epiphany. When they awake, these shoes are filled with candy and small gifts.

Answer: Shepherds

In the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 2, Verses 8-16), it states: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

One of my personal all-time favorite Christmas carols is "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night".

Answer: Turkey

The turkey seems to have made its way to the Christmas dinner table in the early part of the 16th century. King Henry VIII is said to have been one of the first proponents of this tradition. Prior to the turkey, the English Christmas dinner table often included such fare as peacock, wild boar, goose, duck, pheasant, or cow. With the publishing of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" in 1843, Ebenezer Scrooge sent Bob Cratchitt a large turkey and suddenly turkey became a Christmas fashion.

Answer: Mistletoe

Interestingly, the mistletoe plant is poisonous and can cause acute gastrointestinal disturbances, severe diarrhea and low blood pressure when consumed. However, it is a pretty plant with bright green leaves and white berries. In ancient cultures, the mistletoe plant was a symbol of virility, romance and fertility.

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe dates back to the 15th or 16th centuries.

Answer: Advent

Advent usually begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day (usually occurring between November 27th and December 3rd). The term advent is derived from the Latin word adventus meaning "to come". In the Christian church, the season of Advent is literally a period of anticipation; an opportunity to remember the birth of the savior Jesus Christ.

As a child growing up in England, I loved opening the Advent Calendar. The calendar had little doors every day leading to Christmas, doors that would deliver up small pieces of chocolate or a small toy.

Answer: Sleigh

A sleigh, traditionally, is a mode of transportation that has two longitudinal runners that allow the carriage to be pulled through snow and ice. Most sleighs are pulled by horses. However, tradition has it that the sleigh of Santa Claus is pulled by eight reindeer. According to "The Night Before Christmas", these reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Prancer, Cupid, Donner, Vixen, and Blitzen.

Answer: Happy

All my life I have walked the streets of England wishing strangers a very "HAPPY" Christmas. Moving to America, I had to remember that Americans like a "MERRY" rather than a "HAPPY" Christmas greeting. Any way you look at it, Christmas is great.