As promised, here are the answers to my previous blog questions. And Stephanie, Yes, I did take the quiz before I read the book and failed miserably!
1. Jesus was born in a country ruled by what people? The Romans.
2. What was the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist? The King James Version speaks of them as “cousins”; however, the Greek word translated “cousin” does not necessarily mean “cousin” or “relative”. The Greek word can just as readily be translated “neighbor, someone from the same village, someone from the same tribe, or someone with the same political or national affiliations.” In other words, the Greek text never calls Elisabeth and Mary cousins, and it is unclear if they were indeed that.
3. How did the shepherds find the Christ child? The followed the directions of an angel.
4. Where did the wise men find Jesus? In his home in Bethlehem.
5. Other than the wise men, who in the Eastern Hemisphere saw the “new star” that announced the birth of Christ? The New Testament implies that no one else saw, or noticed, the star.
6. How many wise men visited the Christ child? The scriptures do not say. Because the wise men brought with them three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh), some have assumed that there were three wise men; however, neither the number nor the names of the wise men are given in the scriptures.
7. Who did Herod order to be killed in Bethlehem? All children two years or less; that is, all children, male or female, who had not yet reached their third birthday.
8. What false notion is taught in the second verse of the Christmas carol “Away in a Manger”? That Jesus, when a baby, did not cry.
9. What false notions are taught in the first and second verses of the Christmas carol “It Came up on a Midnight Clear?” That angels play “harps of gold” and have wings.
10. What false notions are taught in the first and second verses of the Christmas carol “With Wondering Awe”? The first error is the claim that the wise men heard the angels singing. In fact, it was the shepherds who heard the angels speak; the wise men saw the star. The second error is the claim that the wise men sought the manger. In actuality, they sought the home of Christ; the shepherds went to the manger. The wise men arrived much later.
11. What false notions are taught in the traditional Christmas carol “The First Noel”? First, the hymn inaccurately claims that the birth of Jesus was on a “cold winter’s night”, perhaps in December. If the shepherds were out “keeping their sheep,” it was much more likely spring than winter. Second, contrary to the words of the hymn, the shepherds are not recorded as having seen the star; the wise men saw the star. Indeed, the Bible suggests that the star did not give “great light”; according to Matthew, the star was not universally visible. Third, the hymn claims that there were three wise men; the scriptures are silent about how many there were or what their names were.
Comments:
Stacie said…
That is very interesting! Thank you for taking the time to enlighten us! I still love those songs even though they are false! But I am just thankful for the scriptures to give us truth!! Have a great day! Hope all is well across town!
Saturday, December 22, 2007 8:55:32 AM
Jodi said…
I also love those songs still…I thought it was fun to notice some “trivial” information about them which I have never noticed before.
Monday, December 24, 2007 6:48:58 AM
Steph said…
Very interesting, I learned a lot too. Maybe I could borrow the book some time.
Thursday, January 03, 2008 11:00:10 PM