Christmas Bible Trivia: 60 Questions to Play or Print
By Paul — dad of 8. Every question here has survived our own family game nights.
The Christmas story is the one part of the Bible everybody in the room thinks they know — which is exactly what makes it the best trivia of the year. Here are 60 Christmas Bible trivia questions in four rounds: an easy round for the kids, a whole-family round, a hard round for the Bible buffs, and a true-or-false round on the things carols added that Scripture never said. Every answer comes with its verse reference. Play the quiz right on this page, print the list, or download the free PDF and host it read-aloud style at your Christmas party.
Play the Christmas trivia quiz
Pick a round (or take all 60), tap your answer, and the correct one lights up with the verse behind it. Put this page on the TV and let the family vote out loud — scores tally to a final verdict at the end.
Question 1 of 60 · 0 correct so far
In what town was Jesus born?
How to host Christmas Bible trivia
- After Christmas dinner, one screen. Open the quiz above on the TV or a propped-up tablet. The room answers out loud, majority rules, and the reveal settles it with chapter and verse. One round takes about fifteen relaxed minutes — perfect between the meal and dessert.
- Church party or youth night, quiz-master style. Print the PDF, split the room into tables, and read questions aloud — easy round first so every table gets on the board. Teams write answers; a runner collects them each round. Candy canes, chocolate coins, or an ornament make prize-table-worthy stakes.
- Sunday school class. Run just the kids’ round as a December-morning review, and let each child look up one verse reference after its question — the answer key doubles as a reading plan for the nativity story.
- Save the myth round for last. Read each statement, have everyone vote true or false with raised hands, then read the answer. Expect protest, laughter, and at least one person opening a Bible to check — which is the whole point.
- Keep score gently with mixed ages. Weight the rounds — one point for easy, two for medium, three for hard — and the team carrying the six-year-olds stays in the race against the team carrying the seminary graduate.
However you run it, end with the verses. Reading Luke 2:8–14 out loud after the trivia — with everyone's mistakes fresh — lands differently than it does in a card or a carol.
The question bank: all 60 questions & answers
Four rounds, easiest first, every answer with its verse. Print this page (button at the top) or download the free PDF for the host’s master copy — and if you’re playing the quiz above first, no peeking past this point.
Christmas Bible Trivia for Kids · Easy · Ages 5 and up
Twenty questions straight from the nativity story every Sunday schooler knows — let the youngest players answer these first, and don't be surprised when Grandma misses one.
1. In what town was Jesus born?
A. Nazareth B. Jerusalem C. Bethlehem D. Jericho
The answer is Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, the town of David, and while they were there Jesus was born. (Luke 2:4–7.)
2. What was the name of Jesus' mother?
A. Elizabeth B. Mary C. Martha D. Ruth
The answer is Mary. The angel told her she had found favor with God and would give birth to a son named Jesus. (Luke 1:30–31.)
3. Who was Mary's husband?
A. Joseph B. John C. James D. Jacob
The answer is Joseph. When he woke from the angel's dream, Joseph did as the angel commanded and took Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:24.)
4. Where did Mary lay baby Jesus after He was born?
A. In a royal cradle B. In a manger C. In a fishing boat D. In a basket
The answer is a manger — a feeding trough for animals. Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling cloths and laid Him there. (Luke 2:7.)
5. Why did Mary lay Jesus in a manger?
A. It was the softest spot in the stable B. There was no room for them in the inn C. The shepherds asked her to D. King Herod ordered it
The answer is that there was no room for them in the inn. Bethlehem was crowded for the census, so the newborn King's first bed was a feed box. (Luke 2:7.)
6. Which angel told Mary she would have a baby?
A. Michael B. Gabriel C. An unnamed angel D. A choir of angels
The answer is Gabriel. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary. (Luke 1:26–27.)
7. Who came to see baby Jesus on the very night He was born?
A. The wise men B. King Herod C. Shepherds from the nearby fields D. The innkeeper's children
The answer is the shepherds. After the angels' announcement they hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. (Luke 2:15–16.)
8. What did the wise men follow to find Jesus?
A. A map B. A star C. A river D. An angel
The answer is a star. The wise men saw His star when it rose, and it went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. (Matthew 2:2, 9–10.)
9. What three gifts did the wise men bring?
A. Gold, silver, and bronze B. Bread, oil, and wine C. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh D. Robes, sandals, and a crown
The answer is gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men opened their treasures and presented them to the child. (Matthew 2:11.)
10. What name did the angel say the baby should be given?
A. John B. Immanuel C. David D. Jesus
The answer is Jesus. Matthew also recalls Isaiah's prophecy — “they shall call his name Immanuel” — but the angel's instruction to Mary and to Joseph was to name Him Jesus. (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21.)
11. Why was He named Jesus?
A. It was Joseph's father's name B. Because He will save His people from their sins C. The innkeeper suggested it D. It means “strong king”
The answer is that He will save His people from their sins — that is exactly what the angel told Joseph the name means. (Matthew 1:21.)
12. What town did Mary and Joseph travel from to get to Bethlehem?
A. Jerusalem B. Nazareth C. Capernaum D. Bethany
The answer is Nazareth, in Galilee. Joseph went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem because he belonged to the house and line of David. (Luke 2:4.)
13. Who was the jealous king who wanted to find and harm baby Jesus?
A. Caesar Augustus B. Herod C. Pharaoh D. Nebuchadnezzar
The answer is King Herod. He told the wise men to report back to him, secretly planning harm — and God warned them, and Joseph, in dreams. (Matthew 2:7–8, 13.)
14. Where did Joseph, Mary, and Jesus escape to when Herod tried to harm Him?
A. Rome B. Babylon C. Egypt D. Damascus
The answer is Egypt. An angel warned Joseph in a dream, and the family fled by night and stayed there until Herod died. (Matthew 2:13–15.)
15. What was Joseph's trade?
A. Fisherman B. Shepherd C. Carpenter D. Tax collector
The answer is carpenter. Years later, people in Nazareth would ask about Jesus, “Isn't this the carpenter's son?” (Matthew 13:55.)
16. Which relative of Mary was also expecting a miracle baby?
A. Elizabeth B. Anna C. Sarah D. Naomi
The answer is Elizabeth. Gabriel told Mary her relative Elizabeth was already six months along — “for nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:36–37.)
17. Who did Elizabeth's baby grow up to be?
A. Peter B. John the Baptist C. Matthew D. Paul
The answer is John the Baptist — the messenger who would prepare the way for Jesus and one day baptize Him in the Jordan. (Luke 1:13–17.)
18. The angel brought the shepherds “good news of great ___.”
A. joy B. wealth C. power D. victory
The answer is joy — “good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.” (Luke 2:10–11.)
19. What does the name “Immanuel” mean?
A. God with us B. Prince of Peace C. The Good Shepherd D. Light of the World
The answer is “God with us.” Matthew says Jesus' birth fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy of the virgin bearing a son called Immanuel. (Matthew 1:22–23.)
20. After the angel spoke, what filled the sky above the shepherds?
A. Falling stars B. A great multitude of angels praising God C. Doves D. Fire and smoke
The answer is a great company of the heavenly host — a multitude of angels praising God: “Glory to God in the highest.” (Luke 2:13–14.)
The Whole-Family Round · Medium · All ages
Fifteen questions one layer deeper into Matthew and Luke — the census, Simeon and Anna, the Magnificat — where the adults start earning their keep.
21. Why did Joseph and Mary have to travel to Bethlehem in the first place?
A. For the Passover feast B. A census ordered by Caesar Augustus C. To visit Elizabeth D. To escape King Herod
The answer is a census. Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world should be registered, and everyone traveled to his own town. (Luke 2:1–3.)
22. Which Old Testament prophet named Bethlehem as the Messiah's birthplace centuries in advance?
A. Isaiah B. Jeremiah C. Micah D. Daniel
The answer is Micah — “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… out of you shall come forth a ruler over Israel.” Herod's own scribes quoted it to the wise men. (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4–6.)
23. What did the angel tell Joseph in his dream before Jesus was born?
A. To flee to Egypt B. Not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife C. To name the baby John D. To build a stable
The answer is not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit. (The flee-to-Egypt dream came later.) (Matthew 1:20.)
24. Mary responded to the news with a song of praise. What is that song traditionally called?
A. The Doxology B. The Magnificat C. The Beatitudes D. The Shema
The answer is the Magnificat — “My soul magnifies the Lord” — Mary's song of praise at Elizabeth's house. (Luke 1:46–55.)
25. What happened to Zechariah when he doubted the angel's promise of a son?
A. He went blind for a week B. He was struck mute until John was born C. He was sent into the desert D. Nothing — he was forgiven instantly
The answer is that he was struck mute. Zechariah couldn't speak until the day he wrote “His name is John” — and his tongue was loosed in praise. (Luke 1:20, 63–64.)
26. When baby Jesus was presented at the temple, which devout man said he could now die in peace?
A. Zechariah B. Simeon C. Nicodemus D. Joseph of Arimathea
The answer is Simeon. The Holy Spirit had promised he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ, and he blessed God: “My eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2:25–30.)
27. Who was the 84-year-old prophetess who gave thanks over baby Jesus at the temple?
A. Anna B. Elizabeth C. Deborah D. Priscilla
The answer is Anna. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer, and she spoke of the child to everyone waiting for redemption. (Luke 2:36–38.)
28. What offering did Mary and Joseph bring to the temple for Jesus' presentation?
A. A lamb and a dove B. A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons C. Gold coins D. A basket of firstfruits
The answer is a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons — the offering the Law allowed a family of modest means. (Luke 2:24.)
29. Where did the wise men stop first to ask, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?”
A. Bethlehem B. Nazareth C. Jerusalem D. Damascus
The answer is Jerusalem — which is how King Herod heard about the child, and why he summoned the wise men in secret. (Matthew 2:1–3.)
30. How were the wise men warned not to go back to King Herod?
A. In a dream B. By the star disappearing C. By an earthquake D. By a letter from Joseph
The answer is in a dream. Warned by God, they returned to their own country by another route. (Matthew 2:12.)
31. What does the name of the town Bethlehem mean in Hebrew?
A. City of David B. House of bread C. Place of peace D. Well of the King
The answer is “house of bread” — a fitting birthplace for the One who would call Himself the Bread of Life. (John 6:35.)
32. From whose royal family line did the Messiah have to come?
A. Aaron the priest B. King Saul C. King David D. Moses
The answer is David's line. Gabriel promised Mary: “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32–33.)
33. Which two Gospels tell the story of Jesus' birth?
A. Matthew and Luke B. Mark and John C. Matthew and Mark D. Luke and John
The answer is Matthew and Luke. Matthew follows Joseph and the wise men; Luke follows Mary and the shepherds. Mark opens at Jesus' baptism, and John begins before creation. (Matthew 1–2; Luke 1–2.)
34. What happened the moment Mary's greeting reached Elizabeth's ears?
A. The baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy B. An angel appeared over the house C. A star rose in the sky D. Elizabeth was struck silent
The answer is that the baby leaped in Elizabeth's womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit — “Blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:41–42.)
35. What sign did the angel give the shepherds so they would know they had found the right baby?
A. A star shining over the stable B. A baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger C. A choir of angels at the door D. A lamp burning in the window
The answer is the manger: “You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” — not a sight anyone expected for a Savior. (Luke 2:12.)
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Fifteen questions for the ones who read the footnotes — fulfilled prophecies, the genealogies, Quirinius, and the tribe of Asher. Verse references settle every argument.
36. Complete Isaiah's sign: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name ___.”
A. Jesus B. Immanuel C. Wonderful D. The Branch
The answer is Immanuel. Isaiah spoke the sign about seven centuries before Bethlehem, and Matthew names Jesus' birth as its fulfillment. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22–23.)
37. Where in the Old Testament do the titles “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” appear?
A. Psalm 23 B. Isaiah 9:6 C. Micah 5:2 D. Malachi 4:2
The answer is Isaiah 9:6 — “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6.)
38. By the time the wise men arrived with their gifts, where was the family staying?
A. The stable B. A house C. An inn in Jerusalem D. Egypt
The answer is a house. Matthew says the wise men “entered the house” and saw the child with His mother — likely well after the night of the birth. (Matthew 2:11.)
39. Herod ordered the death of Bethlehem's boys up to what age?
A. Newborns only B. One year old C. Two years old and under D. Five years old and under
The answer is two years old and under — according to the time Herod had learned from the wise men about the star's first appearing. (Matthew 2:16.)
40. Matthew says the weeping in Bethlehem fulfilled which prophet's words about “Rachel weeping for her children”?
A. Isaiah B. Ezekiel C. Hosea D. Jeremiah
The answer is Jeremiah — “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children.” (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:17–18.)
41. The flight to Egypt fulfilled which Old Testament prophecy?
A. “Out of Egypt I called my son” B. “He shall be called a Nazarene” C. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah” D. “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh”
The answer is “Out of Egypt I called my son,” from Hosea. Matthew reads Israel's whole exodus story as pointing forward to the true Son. (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15.)
42. Why did Joseph settle the family in Nazareth instead of returning to Judea?
A. Mary's family owned land there B. Archelaus, Herod's son, now ruled Judea — and Joseph was warned in a dream C. The census required it D. Bethlehem had been destroyed
The answer is that Archelaus reigned over Judea in his father Herod's place, and Joseph was afraid to go there. Warned in a dream, he withdrew to Galilee — so Jesus would be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:22–23.)
43. How does John's Gospel tell the Christmas story?
A. With the shepherds' visit B. With a genealogy C. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” D. It skips Jesus' coming entirely
The answer is “The Word became flesh.” John has no manger scene — he opens before creation: the Word who was with God, and was God, took on flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1, 14.)
44. Matthew opens his genealogy calling Jesus “the son of David, the son of ___.”
A. Adam B. Noah C. Abraham D. Jacob
The answer is Abraham. Matthew traces the line from Abraham through David down to Joseph; Luke's genealogy runs all the way back to Adam. (Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:38.)
45. Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, belonged to which priestly division?
A. Abijah B. Zadok C. Eleazar D. Phinehas
The answer is the division of Abijah. Zechariah was serving his division's temple rotation — burning incense — when Gabriel appeared beside the altar. (Luke 1:5, 8–11.)
46. Anna the prophetess came from which tribe of Israel?
A. Judah B. Benjamin C. Asher D. Levi
The answer is Asher — one of the few places the New Testament names someone's tribe outside Judah and Levi. (Luke 2:36.)
47. Luke anchors the census to which governor of Syria?
A. Pontius Pilate B. Quirinius C. Felix D. Gallio
The answer is Quirinius — “This was the first registration, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.” (Luke 2:2.)
48. What does “Christ” — as in Jesus Christ — actually mean?
A. Savior B. Anointed One C. Son of God D. Teacher
The answer is “Anointed One” — Christos in Greek, Messiah in Hebrew. Andrew told his brother, “We have found the Messiah (which means Christ).” (John 1:41.)
49. Where does Matthew say the wise men came from?
A. Persia B. Babylon C. Simply “from the east” D. Sheba
The answer is simply “from the east.” Scripture never names their country, their number, or their names — the rest is tradition. (Matthew 2:1.)
50. What did Simeon prophesy to Mary about her own future?
A. She would outlive all her children B. A sword would pierce her own soul C. She would see her son crowned in Jerusalem D. She would carry the gospel to the nations
The answer is that a sword would pierce her own soul — Simeon's sober word to the young mother, pointing some thirty years ahead to the cross. (Luke 2:34–35.)
Did the Bible Really Say That? True or False · True or False · All ages
Ten things “everyone knows” about the Christmas story — read each statement aloud and vote. Between carols, cards, and nativity sets, this round humbles every room that plays it.
51. True or false: The Bible says exactly three wise men visited Jesus.
False. Scripture counts the gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — but never the givers. The “three kings” come from carol tradition, not from Matthew. (Matthew 2:1, 11.)
52. True or false: The wise men stood with the shepherds at the manger on the night Jesus was born.
False. The shepherds came the night of the birth; the wise men arrived later and found the child in a house. Nativity sets compress the timeline. (Matthew 2:11; Luke 2:15–16.)
53. True or false: A grumpy innkeeper turned Mary and Joseph away.
False. No innkeeper appears anywhere in the story — Luke says only that there was no room for them in the inn, and many scholars read that word as a home's full guest room. (Luke 2:7.)
54. True or false: The Bible says the angels sang to the shepherds.
False — as Luke writes it, the multitude of the heavenly host was “praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest.” Scripture never says they sang; every Christmas choir does. (Luke 2:13–14.)
55. True or false: Baby Jesus was laid in a feeding trough for animals.
True. That is exactly what a manger is — the King of heaven entered the world in a feed box, which is rather the point of the story. (Luke 2:7.)
56. True or false: The Bible describes Mary riding a donkey to Bethlehem.
False. The donkey is beloved tradition, but Luke says only that Joseph went up from Nazareth with Mary — about ninety miles, transportation unspecified. (Luke 2:4–5.)
57. True or false: The shepherds went to find Jesus the same night the angels appeared.
True — they said “let us go over to Bethlehem,” went with haste that very night, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Luke 2:15–16.)
58. True or false: The Bible tells us Jesus was born on December 25.
False. Scripture gives no date at all — December 25 was settled centuries later. The Bible's only calendar clue is shepherds living out in the fields with their flocks. (Luke 2:8.)
59. True or false: King Herod asked the wise men to report back to him once they found the child.
True — he claimed he wanted to come and worship the child too. The wise men, warned by God in a dream, went home by another way. (Matthew 2:8, 12.)
60. True or false: Scripture names the wise men Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
False. Those names come from tradition written down centuries later. Matthew leaves the magi anonymous — men remembered only for their worship. (Matthew 2:1–12.)
Make it a whole Christmas game night
Trivia is the sit-down act — pair it with something loud. Our Bible charades word lists are full of actable nativity moments (the easy lists start at age four), and the playable Bible Jeopardy-style board gives your quiz fans a full two-round game. For the survey-style showdown where every guess can score, our free bank of Bible Family Feud-style questions plays live on any TV with animated reveals and a bot opponent — and if you’re planning a full church Christmas event, the free printable church game night kit has the 60-minute run-of-show ready to go.
Common questions
How do you play Christmas Bible trivia with a group?
Two ways work every time. Quiz-master style: one host reads questions from this page (or the printed PDF) and teams shout or write answers — a point per correct answer, candy canes for the winning team. Or play the quiz on this page on a TV: tap an answer, and the correct one lights up with the verse behind it. Start everyone on the kids' round, move to the family and adult rounds as the room warms up, and save the true-or-false myth round for last — it's the one that gets the whole room arguing happily.
Are these Christmas trivia questions actually from the Bible?
Yes — all 60 come from the nativity accounts in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 (plus the prophecies they quote), and every answer lists its verse reference so your group can open the passage and check. That's also why the myth round exists: carols and nativity sets have added details Scripture never mentions, and separating the two is half the fun.
What Christmas Bible trivia questions work for kids?
The kids' round on this page is 20 questions from the parts of the story children know from Sunday school — where Jesus was born, what the wise men followed, why the manger. Multiple choice keeps it winnable: a five-year-old can pick “a star” from four options even if they'd freeze on an open question. Mixed-age teams work even better than a kids-only game, because the little ones get their moment while the adults sweat the hard round.
Is there a free printable Christmas Bible trivia PDF?
Yes — the free PDF linked at the top of this page has all 60 questions with their multiple-choice options, answers, and verse references, formatted for letter paper. Print one copy as the host's master sheet, or print the page itself for the same thing. No signup and no cost, for home, school, or ministry use.
How long does a Christmas trivia game take?
Budget about 20 minutes per multiple-choice round read aloud with teams, and 10 minutes for the true-or-false round — so a full run of all 60 questions fills about an hour, a perfect church-party or youth-night block. For a family evening at home, one round plus the myth round is a tidy half hour between dinner and dessert.
Skip the prep — play it live on your TV, free
Faith Family Showdown turns questions like these into a real game-show board — animated reveals, buzzer sounds, scores, and strikes. Play free in your browser on any TV, laptop, or tablet, or host a party where every team answers from their own phone. No install, no signup.
Not sure yet? ▶ Watch a real round on YouTube