Q 01/05

The Bible never says how many Magi visited Jesus, so what gave rise to the tradition of three?

A) The Holy Trinity

B) The number of gifts

C) A church council decree

D) A Roman census record

Answer · why

B) The number of gifts

The number of gifts fixed the count at three in the West, but Syriac Christians often picture a far larger party of twelve visitors.

Q 02/05

According to the Gospel account read at Epiphany, the Magi found the child Jesus in what kind of place?

A) A stable

B) A cave

C) A house

D) An inn

Answer · why

C) A house

A house is where the visitors enter in the Gospel text; the manger of nativity scenes belongs to the shepherds' story in Luke.

Q 03/05

Which gift of the Magi, a resin used in ancient embalming, is taken as a sign of Jesus's death?

A) Incense

B) Gold

C) Balsam

D) Myrrh

Answer · why

D) Myrrh

Myrrh returns at the end of the story: John's Gospel says a mixture of it with aloes was brought to wrap the body of Jesus for burial.

Q 04/05

In Italian folklore, which soot-covered figure flies on a broomstick to bring children presents on Epiphany Eve?

A) Santa Lucia

B) Babbo Natale

C) La Befana

D) Krampus

Answer · why

C) La Befana

La Befana comes down the chimney, which explains the soot, and her name is popularly said to be a worn-down form of Epifania.

Q 05/05

Which Shakespeare comedy takes its title from the eve of Epiphany, the close of the Christmas season?

A) As You Like It

B) The Winter's Tale

C) Much Ado About Nothing

D) Twelfth Night

Answer · why

D) Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night was probably written as an entertainment for that very evening, and its revels are opposed by the killjoy steward Malvolio.