Christmas Games

In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the 7^th day?

In what country did Silent Night originate?

Answer explanation

It’s original German title was Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht. The lyrics were written by Joseph Mohr in 1816 and the music was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber 1818.

As a heartwarming Christmas miracle, it was sang during the impromptu WWI Christmas truce. Because it was a carol popular in both English speaking and German speaking countries, it was known by both sides. Both sides sang it in their respective languages.

In what country did the custom of putting up a Christmas tree originate?

• Germany

• America

• Russia

• Britain

Answer explanation

From Germany in the 18^th century (possibly 16^th century) it spread to Britain and from there to America and elsewhere around the world.

Who created the first electric light Christmas display?

Answer explanation

In 1880 he put up the first Christmas display made from electric lights to advertise his light bulbs. A few years later an inventor named Edward Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edision, created the first string of Christmas lights.

What old Christmas tradition signals to people passing by that the residents of a house are Christian?

• Lighting in the house

• The Christmas tree

• Putting candles in the window

• Singing Christmas carols

Answer explanation

It was not only a way for residents to show their faith but also an invitation for other Christians to join them in celebration.

In what decade did NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command, formerly CONAD) start tracking Santa on Christmas Eve?

• In the 1950s

• 1955

• 1954

• None of the above

Answer explanation

The NORAD Tracks Santa program officially started on December 24^th, 1955 and has continued every year since. In 2004 Google started tracking Santa as well.

What political cartoonist is largely responsible for defining what the modern Santa Claus looks like?

• Martin Rowson

• Mike Judge

• Bill Waterson

• Thomas Nast

Answer explanation

Thomas Nast drew a picture of Santa Claus for the January 1, 1881 issue of Harper’s Weekly and the rest of the media ran with it. It became the visual prototype of the Santa Claus we all know and love. He also drew an earlier version of Santa Claus in the January 3, 1863 issue of Harper’s Weekly but it doesn’t resemble the modern Santa as much as his 1881 drawing.

Among Christians who lived in the East, when was Christmas originally celebrated?

• December 25th

• January 6th

• December 28th

• January 1st

Answer explanation

In the West, Christmas was always celebrated on December 25^th. Now, except for a select few, like the Armenians, almost everyone who celebrates Christmas does so on December 25^th.

The French word “Noel” is often used around Christmas, but what was its original meaning in Latin?

• Death

• Age

• Happiness

• Birth

Answer explanation

You can definitely see why Noel became so synonymous with Christmas!

In which country did the Nutcrackers originate?

• USA

• England

• Australia

• Germany