This Christmas when I was with my family in Louisiana I had to take a Christmas Quiz prior to receiving my gifts. At first I did not want to participate in the quiz because I thought, “Why should I do this quiz in order to get my gifts so I said you are welcome to take all of my gifts, but then I changed my mind.”

I found this quiz so fascinating that I could not resist from sharing it with you. I am only going to provide questions in this quiz. If you are interested please send your answers to me and I will tell you if you passed or failed.

Please do not cheat or read the Bible because I want to see how well you know Christmas story. I trust that you will be honest as you take the quiz.

Here we go:

1. On what animal did Mary ride into Bethlehem?
2. How long was Mary in Bethlehem before she gave birth to baby Jesus?
3. What did the inn keeper say to Joseph and Mary when they arrived in Bethlehem?
4. How many angels were present when Jesus was born?
5. Did the shepherds and wise men come to see baby Jesus on the same night?
6. How many wise men were there, and how many gifts did they bring?
7. Were the Magi actually wise men or wise women?

Hope to hear from you. Please email your answers to: alexfaithful@netzero.net

Blessings, Alex

This Sunday I heard a wonderful message and wanted to share it with you. The topic was “Relationships Within the Body”-Ephesians 4:25-32

Key Idea: while we do not earn our salvation by good deeds, the putting off/putting on principle should be reflected in our relationships with others.

1. Speaking Truth (v.25)
a. The negative-putting off (we must lay aside falsehood)
b. The positive-putting on (we must speak the truth)
c. The reason-we are members of one another (being a true members is to be part of a body)

2. Controlling Anger (vv.26-27)
a. The positive-control your anger (Psalm 4:4). James 1:19-20 says, “Be slow to speak and slow to anger.”
b. The negative-settle issues quickly (keep short accounts). Deep sited anger is bitterness and you must get rid of unresolved anger.
c. The reason-Satan loves to capitalize on unresolved anger (James 1:19-20 says, “For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”)

3. Working to share (v. 28)
a. The negative-do not steal
b. The positive-work hard with your own hands
c. The reason-to be able to share with others

4. Edifying other in your words (vv.29-30)
a. The negative-do not speak any “unwholesome” words. The Holy Spirit hears every word we say so we must be on guard.
b. The positive-speak on that, which builds up others (when we speak such words it shows the presence of the Holy Spirit in us)
c. The reason-you should not grieve the Holy Spirit (it is important how and what we say)

5. Edifying others in your actions (vv.31-32)
a. The negative-get rid of malicious behavior (James 3:8)
i. Bitterness
ii. Wrath
iii. Anger
iv. Clamor
v. Slander
vi. Malice
b. The positive-be caring, kind, tender hearted and forgiving
c. The reason-forgiven people should be people who are readily forgive

If a video was played of your life this past week and graded you on all five of these area, how would you do?