We could go on with a long, boring story explaining these holidays - or we could let you do the work. The office elves voted for the latter.
So, click your Bic, power up on an eggnog latte and test your interfaith I.Q. (questions crafted courtesy of reference books, Web sites and that fa-la-la thing called memory).
1. In the Christmas story in the New Testament, how many wise men went to pay homage to baby Jesus?
A. One
B. The Bible doesn't say
C. Three
2. Hanukkah is a Jewish festival lasting eight nights and days. How many candles are on the Hanukkah menorah, or Hanukkiah?
A. Seven
B. Eight
C. Nine
3. While we're on the subject, what's Hanukkah's story?
A. A victory over occupying forces, reclaiming the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the purified oil in the temple lamp burning long enough to get replacement oil.
B. Moses' parting of the Red Sea and the exodus of the Jews out of bondage in Egypt.
C. Hannah's prayers for a child being answered with the birth of Samuel, who was dedicated to God and grew up to become a prophet.
4. Christmas is the Christian commemoration of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. What is the Immaculate Conception?
A. The miracle of Jesus being born of a virgin (Mary).
B. Joseph's decision to accept the pregnant Mary as his wife after an angel speaks to him in a dream.
C. In Catholic teachings, it means that Mary herself was, from conception, free from all stain of original sin.
5. Islam's Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) is based on the Genesis story of Abraham's obedience to God by his willingness to sacrifice his son (an animal was substituted at the last minute). Genesis identifies the son as Isaac. According to Muslim belief, who was the would-be sacrificial son?
A. The same: Isaac, son of Sarah.
B. Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar.
C. One of Abraham's nephews, Uz.
6. Where is Mecca, the holiest city in Islam?
A. Egypt
B. Syria
C. Saudi Arabia
7. How did Kwanzaa, an African-American celebration of family, community and culture, come about?
A. It was started in 1966 by a black studies professor in Long Beach, Calif., and is rooted in the first harvest celebrations in Africa.
B. It is based on Epiphany. Because the Magi arrived some time after the actual birth, Kwanzaa is held after Christmas.
C. Neither of the above.
8. Who said "On earth, peace, good will toward men"?
A. King Herod, trying to convince the Magi that he was a good guy so he could find out the birthplace of Jesus (Matthew 29).
B. Clement Clarke Moore in the poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas," also known as, "A Visit From St. Nicholas."
C. Angels, appearing to the shepherds to announce Jesus' birth (Luke 2).
9. A dreidel is a four-sided top with a letter on each side that translates into "a great miracle happened there." With what holiday is it associated?
A. Hajj
B. Christmas
C. Neither of the above
10. During Hajj in Mecca, men wear simple clothes, which basically consist of white cloth. Why is that?
A. To strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all are equal before God.
B. Actually, that statement is not true. There are no special garments.
C. It is for sanitary reasons. Mecca is extremely hot and crowded.
11. Kwanzaa has seven principles (unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith). What are the dates of Kwanzaa?
A. Dec. 26-27.
B. Dec. 26-Jan. 1.
C. Dec. 26-31.
12. At one point, concerned about the debauchery of it all, Puritans actually outlawed Christmas.
A. True
B. False
Holiday quiz answers
1. B. Check out the second chapter of Matthew, which only says "wise men from the East." But they did bring three gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh).
2. C. There are eight candles for each night of Hanukkah plus a servant candle to light them.
3. A. Hanukkah also is known as the Feast of Dedication and the Feast of Lights.
4. C. Immaculate means "without stain."
5. B. Ishmael also is considered one of the prophets of Islam and ancestor of Muhammad.
6. C. It's also the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.
7. A. The professor's name: Maulana Karenga.
8. C. See Luke 2:14. Yes, we know there is no Matthew 29 (answer A).
9. C. Hanukkah (the letters are in Hebrew).
10. A. Women also may wear special hajj garments, usually a simple white dress.
11. B. Seven days for seven principles.
12. A. Between 1659 and 1681 in Massachusetts, the fine for celebrating Christmas was five shillings, according to "The Battle for Christmas" by Stephen Nissenbaum.
