Q. 1 When do we celebrate Christmas?

A. We celebrate Christmas at the darkest time of year, because God’s stories are full of resurrection.

Q. 2 What is Advent?

A. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas which represent the four hundred years of waiting between Malachi’s prophecy and Christ’s birth.

Q. 3 What is fitting to the Advent season?

A. During Advent it is fitting to prepare for the Christmas celebration, to pray fervently for Christ’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, and to rejoice that God speaks to us from His word and by His ministers.

Q. 4 Is penitence fitting to the Advent season?

A. Sorrow over sin is fitting at all times, but the tone of Advent is a joyous one.

Q. 5 Why do we put lights on our houses?

A. Lights on our houses signify that in Christ is life and that life is the light of men, and that light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehends it not.

Q. 6 Why do we bring a tree into our house for Christmas?

A. Christ has come to make us righteous, that we might be like a tree whose leaf does not wither.

Q. 7 Why do we adorn the tree with ornaments?

A. Ornaments represent the fruit of righteousness that the Christian bears, they show the beauty of holiness, and they are memorials to God’s past faithfulness.

Q. 8 Why do we give gifts at Christmas time?

A. Sons become like their fathers, and our Father is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Q. 9 Why do we wrap gifts and put them under the tree?

A. Just as God the Father gave us the surprising gift of His Son in the fullness of time with hints beforehand, so we give gifts that are anticipated before opened.

Q. 10 Why do we eat chocolate at Christmas?

A. We eat chocolate at Christmas because grace is sweet and rich and heavy.

Q. 11 Why do we drink rich drinks at Christmas?

A. We drink rich drinks at Christmas because grace warms us and gladdens our hearts.

Q. 12 Who was St. Nicholas?

A. St. Nicholas was the bishop of Mrya in the fourth century AD. He attended the council of Nicaea and was known for zeal and generosity.

Q. 13 Why do we have Christmas parties?

A. We gather to celebrate and to feast because Christ has come to gather us into one body and unite us in the eternal fellowship of the Triune God.

Q. 14 Why do we sing Christmas carols?

A. Following the angels’ example, we sing praises to God and we proclaim the gospel to men.

Q. 15 Why do we take time off work at Christmas?

A. We rest from our labors at Christmas because of the peace we have with God through Christ and in anticipation of the eternal rest that God has promised us.

Q. 16 Where was Christ born?

A. Christ was born in Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy of Micah 5:2 and to show that He was the son of David.

Q. 17 Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem?

A. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem in obedience to Caesar’s census, and Caesar issued his census in obedience to God’s almighty decree.

Q. 18 Whose son is Jesus?

A. Jesus is the covenantal son of Joseph, and thus heir of David. Jesus is the biological son of Mary, and thus truly man. Jesus is the eternal Son of the Father, and thus almighty God.

Q. 19 Who attended Christ’s birth?

A. Shepherds attended Christ’s birth, as instructed by angels, for Christ has come to save the lowly.

Q. 20 Who gave gifts to Christ?

A. Kings and Astrologers from the east honored Christ with gifts, for Christ has come to disciple all nations.

Q. 21 What gifts did the Magi give to Jesus?

A. The Magi gave Jesus gold, for He is King, frankincense, for He is God, and Myrrh, for He came to give His life as a ransom for many.

Q. 22 Where did Jesus go after His birth?

A. An angel instructed Joseph to go to Egypt, in fulfillment of Hosea 11:1, because Jesus is the new Israel.

Q. 23 How is faith present in the Christmas season?

A. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing we have life in His name.

Q. 24 How is hope present in the Christmas season?

A. We eagerly await the return of Christ and the redemption of our bodies promised by His resurrection.

Q. 25 How is love present in the Christmas season?

A. We give ourselves to works of charity and generosity, working out what God has worked in us.