I think it is safe to say that one of the most celebrated days of the year in our country is Christmas. It is such a popular holiday that often those not of the Christian faith participate in the festivities. It is also safe to say that this day is widely celebrated around the world, even in cultures that are not Christian in culture or persuasion, such as Japan and China. They too call it "Christmas".

Despite the widespread recognition of this holiday, Christians the world over lament how commercialized Christmas has become and how convoluted the reason and meaning. We see signs hanging in department stores that say "remember the reason for the season", but it seems the author of this Yule-time slogan had customer spending in mind rather than something spiritual.

There are myriad examples we could site regarding the world's commercialization of this sacred Christian holiday and the loss of festive understanding, but too often we Christians come up short ourselves in this theological arena. As our Lord said, sometimes we need to remove the beam from our own eye.

How much do you really know about Christmas? How much of what you think about Christmas is Bible and how much is world? Could you pass the following quiz on this topic? Test your knowledge. There are no trick questions, but you might be surprised by some of the answers. Score 5 points for each correct answer. I will leave it up to you to decide whether you passed or not. The answers are at the end of the quiz.

1. Christmas (the day Jesus was born) probably actually occurred on: a. December 25th b. March 29th c. April 1st d. We do not know

2. How many angels spoke to the shepherds? a. 2 b. a multitude c. 1 d. it cannot be determined

3. A manger is: a. a feeding trough b. a barn c. a stable d. a room behind an Inn

4. Where was Joseph's family from? a. Bethlehem b. Nazareth c. Jerusalem d. Galilee

5. How were the shepherds to find and recognize the Lord? a. by following a star b. by asking at the Inn c. by looking for a babe in a manger d. by looking for the Magi

6. How many wise men came to see Jesus in the manger? a. two b. the Bible doesn't say c. three d. none

7. How did Joseph and Mary get to Bethlehem? a. walked b. by cart c. Joseph walked/Mary rode a donkey d. The Bible doesn't say

8. When Mary was found to be with child, she and Joseph were: a. married b. companions c. engaged d. The Bible does not say

9. Who told Joseph what to name the baby? a. Mary b. An angel c. God d. Jewish elders

10. Where did the wise men find Jesus? a. In the manger b. On a donkey with Mary c. In the field d. In a house

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