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Christmas Bible Quiz

Fifteen questions on the nativity as Matthew and Luke actually tell it — census, shepherds, wise men, Simeon — with the passage behind every answer, for settling the arguments that always come.

Next Christmas: 2026-12-25. 15 questions, each with the passage it comes from.

1. 1Which emperor ordered the census that took Joseph to Bethlehem?

   1. Tiberius
   2. Caesar Augustus
   3. Claudius
   4. Nero
   Answer

   Caesar Augustus Luke 2:1

   Luke dates the journey by the decree of Caesar Augustus.

2. 2Why did Joseph travel to Bethlehem in particular?

   1. He had family land there
   2. He was of the house and lineage of David
   3. He was sent by Herod
   4. He was fleeing Nazareth
   Answer

   He was of the house and lineage of David Luke 2:4

   Each man returned to his own city for the census.

3. 3Why was Jesus laid in a manger?

   1. It was the custom
   2. There was no room for them in the inn
   3. The stable was warmer
   4. Mary asked for it
   Answer

   There was no room for them in the inn Luke 2:7

   Luke gives the reason in the same verse.

4. 4Who were the first people told of Jesus' birth?

   1. The wise men
   2. Shepherds
   3. The priests
   4. Herod's court
   Answer

   Shepherds Luke 2:8-11

   They were keeping watch over their flock by night.

5. 5What sign were the shepherds given?

   1. A star over the stable
   2. A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger
   3. A voice from heaven
   4. A light on the road
   Answer

   A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger Luke 2:12

   The angel gave the sign before the heavenly host appeared.

6. 6What did the heavenly host say?

   1. "Glory to God in the highest"
   2. "Peace be with you"
   3. "Behold your King"
   4. "Fear not, little flock"
   Answer

   "Glory to God in the highest" Luke 2:14

   Followed by "on earth peace, good will toward men."

7. 7What led the wise men toward the child?

   1. An angel
   2. A star
   3. A dream
   4. A prophecy scroll
   Answer

   A star Matthew 2:2, 9

   They saw his star in the east and followed it.

8. 8Who asked the chief priests where the Christ was to be born?

   1. Pilate
   2. Herod
   3. Augustus
   4. Quirinius
   Answer

   Herod Matthew 2:3-4

   He was troubled by the wise men's question.

9. 9How many gifts does Matthew name?

   1. Two
   2. Three
   3. Four
   4. Twelve
   Answer

   Three Matthew 2:11

   Gold, frankincense and myrrh. The number of wise men is never given.

10. 10Where did the wise men find the child?

    1. In a stable
    2. In a house
    3. In the temple
    4. At an inn
    Answer

    In a house Matthew 2:11

    By the time they arrived the family was in a house.

11. 11How were the wise men warned not to return to Herod?

    1. By an angel at the door
    2. In a dream
    3. By a shepherd
    4. By a priest
    Answer

    In a dream Matthew 2:12

    So they went home another way.

12. 12Who was told in a dream to take the child to Egypt?

    1. Mary
    2. Joseph
    3. A wise man
    4. Simeon
    Answer

    Joseph Matthew 2:13-14

    They left by night and stayed until Herod died.

13. 13What name did the angel tell Joseph to give the child?

    1. Immanuel
    2. Jesus
    3. Joshua
    4. John
    Answer

    Jesus Matthew 1:21

    "For he shall save his people from their sins."

14. 14Which man in the temple took the child in his arms and blessed God?

    1. Zechariah
    2. Simeon
    3. Nicodemus
    4. Gamaliel
    Answer

    Simeon Luke 2:25-28

    He had been told he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ.

15. 15On which day was Jesus circumcised and named?

    1. The first day
    2. The third day
    3. The eighth day
    4. The fortieth day
    Answer

    The eighth day Luke 2:21

    The presentation in the temple came later.

Every answer was checked against the passage cited. The CSV imports straight into the BibleLiveQuiz Quiz Builder, or open it in any spreadsheet to edit the questions before your event.