We Love Chritmas! Posted by Samantha Behling November 25, 2020 Welcome to your We Love Chritmas! Which of these Christmas traditions originated with our German ancestors? a) Christmas trees b) Candy canes c) Advent calendars d) All of the above Rockford Choral Union has presented this famous classical piece for nearly 75 years as a gift to the community. What is it? a) Mozart’s Requiem b) Bach’s St. Matthew Passion c) Handel’s Messiah d) Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis How many people attended the one-day Stroll on State celebration in downtown Rockford last year? a) 2,000 b) 12,000 c) 22,000 d) 32,000 Many African-Americans will celebrate Kwanza from Dec. 26-Jan. 1 this year, along with Christmas. What does the Swahili word “Kwaanza” mean? a) First Fruits b) No Worries c) First Light d) Peace on Earth Last year, the Festival of Lights at Sinnissippi Park in Rockford drew a record 85,000 visitors. When did this tradition begin? a) 1990 b) 2000 c) 2010 d) 2020 Nearly every year, Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Rockford Dance Company present “The Nutcracker.” Where did this classic ballet premiere in December of 1892? a) Rome, Italy b) Paris, France c) St. Petersburg, Russia d) Vienna, Austria Many Jewish-Americans will celebrate Hannukah from Dec. 10-18 this year. What does the Hebrew word “Hanukkah” mean? a) to sing b) to pray c) to march d) to dedicate Saint Lucia will be celebrated on Dec. 13 by many descendants of Sweden, Norway, Italy, Denmark and Finland. Lucia lived from 283 to 304 AD. Who was she? a) an Italian martyred for her faith b) a Swede who fed the poor at Christmas c) a Norwegian who held prayer vigils for sailors d) a Finn who led soldiers into battle by candlelight How many holiday lights does Rotary Gardens in Janesville typically display at its spectacular annual Holiday Light show? a) More than 150,000 b) More than 350,000 c) More than 550,000 d) More than 750,000 Which beloved 1940s Hollywood Christmas film stars Jimmy Stewart? a) “Miracle on 34th Street” b) “Holiday Inn” c) “It’s a Wonderful Life” d) “Christmas in Connecticut” Which country contributed fruitcake, eggnog and mulled cider (wassail) to our Christmas traditions? a) Great Britain b) Belgium c) Australia d) Russia Which Christmas plant was brought here by the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico? a) Holly b) Christmas cactus c) Amaryllis d) Poinsettia Which of these was not one of the ways that 1830s pioneers of our region celebrated Christmas? a) Gave each other small, handmade gifts b) Sang carols together c) Brought out their best food and drink d) Mailed Christmas cards to one another Many local churches will celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 6, a Christian holiday that pre-dates the first Christmas feast (336 AD) and today marks the end of the 12 Days of Christmas. Which figures are central to Epiphany? a) Isaiah and King David b) the three wise men, or Magi c) Peter, Paul and Mary d) Simeon and Anna What royal couple is credited with turning Christmas into a family-oriented holiday? a) Queen Victoria and Prince Albert b) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle c) Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn d) Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip The plump and jolly Santa Claus we know today is a hybrid of St. Nicholas, Odin, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Sinter Klaas and others. What author defined his appearance as we know him today? a) Louisa May Alcott b) Robert Louis Stevenson c) Charles Dickens d) Clement Clarke Moore If the gift-giving witch La Befana is part of your Christmas tradition, your ancestral homeland is likely: a) Italy b) Spain c) Mexico d) Portugal What is British figgy pudding? a) a pie containing minced meat or suet b) a steamed cake Christmas dessert c) a custard-like pudding with raisins d) a Christmas stew Residents of which city are most likely to serve Fondue Chinoise or Filet im Teig with Swiss jam or Brunsli cookies on their Christmas menu? a) Rochelle, Ill. b) New Glarus, Wis. c) Loves Park, Ill. d Fontana, Wis. Woodward in Loves Park at North Second Street has erected an elaborate drive-through Christmas display for more than 50 years. Along with a huge Christmas tree, what does it feature? a) Globally themed structures with figures inside b) Giant woodland animals c) A toy train across the lawn d) Dancing tools and metal parts Time's up
