Divide up in even teams and play the Christmas Trivia Game

sample In Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas; what town does the Grinch visit on Christmas Eve? A. Whoville B. Whoapolis C. Whotown D. Whocares

sample In Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas; what town does the Grinch visit on Christmas Eve? A. Whoville

1 Who is the author of the classic Christmas story; A Christmas Carol? A. J.R.R. Tolkien B. Charles Dickens C. C.S. Lewis D. Mark Twain

1 Who is the author of the classic Christmas story; A Christmas Carol? B. Charles Dickens

2 Who wrote the timeless classic, “The Christmas Song”? A. Bing Crosby B. Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra C. Mel Torme & Bob Wells D. Saint Nicholas

2 Who wrote the timeless classic, “The Christmas Song”? C. Mel Torme & Bob Wells

3 What is the best selling Christmas album of all time? A. Elvis’ Christmas Album by Elvis Presley B. Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey C. Manheim Steamroller Christmas by Manheim Steamroller D. These are Special Times by Celine Dion

3 What is the best selling Christmas album of all time? A. Elvis’ Christmas Album by Elvis Presley

4 What was the best selling Christmas album in recent history? A. Merry Christmas with Love by Clay Aiken B. Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey C. Snowed In by Hanson D. Noel by Josh Groban

4 What was the best selling Christmas album in recent history? D. Noel by Josh Groban

5 Approximately how many real Christmas trees are sold in the United States every year? A million B million C million D million

5 Approximately how many real Christmas trees are sold in the United States every year? B million Source: The National Christmas Tree Association – Yeah, it’s a real association!

6 In what year did mail-order Fruitcakes begin to sell in America? A B C D. 1945

6 In what year did mail-order Fruitcakes begin to sell in America? B. 1913

7 What town holds the annual Great Fruitcake Toss? A. Springfield, IL B. North Pole, PA C. Manitou, CO D. Fruitcake, FL

7 What town holds the annual Great Fruitcake Toss? C. Manitou, CO

8 What is the all-time Great Fruitcake Toss record? A. 86 ft B. 271 ft C. 500 ft D ft

8 What is the all-time Great Fruitcake Toss record? D ft The record distance of 1,420 feet was set in 2007 by eight Boeing engineers

9 What name is not one of Santa’s reindeer? A. Dasher B. Dancer C. Comet D. Wolf Blitzer

9 What name is not one of Santa’s reindeer? D. Wolf Blitzer

10 What department store is given credit to creating Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? A. Montgomery Ward B. Dillards C. Nordstrom D. Kmart

10 What department store is given credit to creating Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? A. Montgomery Ward

tiebreaker What day is Christmas celebrated in Russia? A. December 6th B. December 26th C. December 25th D. July 4th

tiebreaker What day is Christmas celebrated in Russia? C. December 25th

1. Christmas time can be a hectic and chaotic time for many of us. Share a time when your Christmas was less than ideal. (eg. stuck in an airport, burned the food, cousin Eddie parked his RV out front)

2. Mary and Joseph's Christmas time was certainly less than ideal, even for their time. -List some ways the first Christmas might not have lived up to Mary and Joseph's expectations.

3. Share some of the things you may have thought was interesting from the “Star of Bethlehem” video.

Scan: Matt 2 & Luke 2 4. Even as the first Christmas story unfolds, there is joy and celebration. -List some moments of celebration found in the Christmas story (can be from any of the Gospels).

Read: Matthew 5:17 5. Even as Jesus is born He is fulfilling prophecy. Look through Matthew 2, can you find all the prophesies which were fulfilled?

6. People who contribute to God's plan for salvation extends beyond the "usual suspects" in Matthew 2. God even used Herod for the glory of His kingdom. -Name 2 prophecies, which were fulfilled as a result of Herod's actions.

7. What does it say about God that even if people don’t believe in Him He can still use them? 8. Can you share a time when you felt God was evident in your life before you fully accepted him as your Lord and Savior? (For some you may be in that season)

9. Throughout Matthew 2, the author makes a point to show prophesy being fulfilled. How is the fulfillment of centuries-old prophecy important to the Christmas story and to the hope we have in Jesus as believers?

10. As Christ followers living in the hope of our salvation, What are some specific ways we can share that hope in our community this Christmas season? (eg. Acts of kindness, heart to heart conversation with a close friend etc.)

Application: Even as the first Christmas was filled with chaos, God used even Herod as part of His plan to bring a Savior to the world. As you go through your Christmas season look for ways to celebrate God's plan for our salvation in your life and the hope it brings.