In this exercise I try to place Western Christian Christmas in a larger context of the origin of some of its traditions. I also mention other holidays celebrated around Christmas time.
Ex. Choose the correct option.
1. The date of Christmas coincides with the ancient Roman holiday of the sun god. What was his name?
A. Jupiter B. Sol Invictus C. Neptune D. Chronos
2. Which Christmas tradition is most typical of Finland?
A. Going to a sauna. B. Baking licorice biscuits. C. Putting snowballs in mulled wine. D. Reading The Kalevala.
3. Which animal was connected to a pre-Christian Germanic holiday and its straw figure is a popular Christmas ornament in the Nordic countries?
A. Yule goat B. Yule elk C. Yule reindeer D. Yule bear
4. Who popularised the Christmas tree in Great Britain?
A. Charles III B. Elizabeth I C. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert D. Edward VII
5. Which character of pre-Christian origin brings gifts to children in Russia and other Eastern Slavic countries?
A. Nutcracker B. Snow King C. Lady Winter D. Father Frost
6. The melody of the traditional English folk song "Greensleeves" is used in a Christmas carol. Which one?
A. "The First Noel" B. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" C. "Ding Dong Merrily on High" D. "What Child Is This?"
7. What probably pre-Christian demon was believed to descend from the mountains in the Alpine region before Christmas time?
A. The Grinch B. The Groke C. Krampus D. Satyr
8. Where were troll-like characters known as Yule Lads supposed to live and visit people's dwellings before Christmas?
A. In Bergen, Norway. B. In Iceland. C. On the Faroe Islands. D. On Gotland.
9. The tradition of Father Christmas dates back to St. Nicholas, a bishop. Where did he live?
A. In Asia Minor (Turkey). B. In Germany. C. In Jutland, Denmark. D. In Thessaloniki, Greece.
10. What is a more accurate name for the Biblical Three Kings?
A. The Clever Men B. The Professors C. The Magi D. The Astronomers
11. In Scandinavia a Christian martyr from Italy is venerated by choirs of young women wearing white robes with wreaths and candles. What was her name?
A. St Agnes B. St Anne C. St Lucy or Lucia D. St Martha
12. Who is the current monarch of Christmas Island?
A. None - the place is fictional. B. Elizabeth II C. Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. D. Pope Francis
KEY
1B, 2A, 3A, 4C, 5D (Ded Moroz in Wikipedia), 6D, 7C, 8B, 9A, 10C, 11C, 12B
I had a look at Wikipedia a few times just to make sure I wasn't wrong.
