Christmas Bible Trivia: 40 Questions About the Nativity
The Christmas story is one of the most retold narratives in history, but there's a lot in the biblical account that gets left out of pageants and greeting cards. These 40 questions cover what most people think they know — and what the text actually says.
Perfect for church groups, Bible study sessions, youth group activities, and family devotional time during Advent.
The Birth of Jesus (Questions 1-12)
- In what town was Jesus born?
Answer
Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-7)
- What were the names of Jesus' parents?
Answer
Mary and Joseph
- Why did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
Answer
A Roman census required everyone to return to their ancestral hometown. Joseph was of the lineage of David, whose city was Bethlehem. (Luke 2:1-4)
- Who was the Roman Emperor who ordered the census?
Answer
Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1)
- Where did Mary place baby Jesus after he was born?
Answer
In a manger — a feeding trough for animals (Luke 2:7)
- Why was Jesus placed in a manger?
Answer
Because there was no room for them at the inn (Luke 2:7)
- What does the name "Jesus" mean?
Answer
"The Lord saves" or "God is salvation" — from the Hebrew "Yeshua" (Matthew 1:21)
- What does "Emmanuel" (or Immanuel) mean?
Answer
"God with us" (Matthew 1:23, from Isaiah 7:14)
- Which Old Testament prophet foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem?
Answer
Micah (Micah 5:2)
- What was Joseph's occupation?
Answer
A carpenter (or tekton — a craftsman/builder) (Matthew 13:55)
- Which two Gospels contain accounts of Jesus' birth?
Answer
Matthew and Luke. (Mark and John do not include birth narratives.)
- Who was king of Judea when Jesus was born?
Answer
King Herod (Herod the Great) (Matthew 2:1)
The Shepherds & Angels (Questions 13-22)
- Who were the first people to be told about Jesus' birth?
Answer
Shepherds — watching their flocks at night in fields near Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-9)
- Who appeared to the shepherds to announce Jesus' birth?
Answer
An angel of the Lord (Luke 2:9)
- What did the angel say to the shepherds?
Answer
"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 Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)
- After the single angel spoke, what appeared?
Answer
A great company (multitude) of the heavenly host — praising God (Luke 2:13)
- What did the heavenly host say?
Answer
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:14)
- What did the shepherds do after the angels left?
Answer
They hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus (Luke 2:15-16)
- An angel also appeared to Joseph. What did the angel tell him?
Answer
Not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21)
- How did the angel appear to Joseph?
Answer
In a dream (Matthew 1:20)
- Which angel appeared to Mary to announce she would give birth to Jesus?
Answer
The angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-28)
- What was Mary's response when Gabriel told her she would conceive a child?
Answer
She asked "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" and then said "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1:34, 38)
The Wise Men (Questions 23-32)
- What three gifts did the Wise Men bring to Jesus?
Answer
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11)
- The Bible says there were three Wise Men. True or false?
Answer
False — the Bible never specifies how many Wise Men there were. Three is assumed because three gifts are mentioned, but the text just says "Magi from the east." (Matthew 2:1)
- What is another name for the Wise Men?
Answer
The Magi (Matthew 2:1)
- What guided the Wise Men to Jesus?
Answer
A star (Matthew 2:2, 9-10)
- Where did the Wise Men come from?
Answer
The Bible says "from the east" but doesn't specify the exact country. Tradition suggests Persia, Arabia, or Babylon. (Matthew 2:1)
- Who did the Wise Men visit first — Jesus or King Herod?
Answer
King Herod — they stopped in Jerusalem to ask where the "King of the Jews" had been born (Matthew 2:1-2)
- What did King Herod ask the Wise Men to do after they found Jesus?
Answer
Come back and tell him where the child was — claiming he wanted to worship too, but actually planning to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:8)
- Did the Wise Men return to Herod?
Answer
No — they were warned in a dream to go home by a different route (Matthew 2:12)
- The Wise Men visited Jesus in the manger. True or false?
Answer
False — by the time the Magi arrived, the family was in a house, not a stable. Jesus may have been up to two years old. (Matthew 2:11 says "house," and Herod ordered the killing of boys two and under based on when the star appeared.)
- What did Herod do when the Wise Men didn't return?
Answer
He ordered the killing of all boys in Bethlehem aged two and under — known as the Massacre of the Innocents (Matthew 2:16)
Deeper Cuts & Context (Questions 33-40)
- Where did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to escape Herod?
Answer
Egypt — they stayed there until Herod's death (Matthew 2:13-15)
- Who was Jesus' relative that was born shortly before him (also announced by the angel Gabriel)?
Answer
John the Baptist — born to Elizabeth and Zechariah. Elizabeth was Mary's relative. (Luke 1:5-25, 36)
- On what day was Jesus circumcised and named, following Jewish law?
Answer
The eighth day after his birth (Luke 2:21)
- When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem, who recognized him as the Messiah?
Answer
Simeon — a devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah (Luke 2:25-32). Also the prophetess Anna. (Luke 2:36-38)
- What song did Mary sing after learning she would bear the Messiah?
Answer
The Magnificat — "My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46-55)
- The prophet Isaiah described the coming Messiah with what famous titles?
Answer
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6)
- What was the name of the town where Mary and Joseph lived before traveling to Bethlehem?
Answer
Nazareth (in Galilee) (Luke 2:4)
- According to Luke, what was wrapped around baby Jesus?
Answer
Swaddling clothes (strips of cloth used to wrap newborns) (Luke 2:7, 12)
Host a Christmas Bible Trivia Night
Our trivia packs include formatted question sheets with Scripture references, answer keys, and hosting tips — perfect for church groups and Bible study sessions.
More Christmas Trivia
- Easy Christmas Trivia — light and fun for any group
- Family Christmas Quiz — mixed difficulty for all ages
- Christmas Trivia for Adults — history, economics, pop culture
- 100 Christmas Fun Facts