Exploring the Word is asking questions but also receiving Christmas questions

>> Jeff Chamblee: The Bible. It's the word of God, sharper than any two edged sword. this sacred book is living and active and contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Bert Harper: Merry Christmas. We do wish you a merry Christmas on this Friday. This is a different kind of Friday. we always have Fire Away Friday where you ask us questions and we do our best to give a biblical answer. But today we're asking questions, but we will also receive Christmas questions. And, we would love you to participate, those of you that listen to today's issues on Friday Trivia Friday, Learning University, you know how it works. And so we want to do that today on Exploring the Word. The lines are open and if you're like you are on trivia, you can even call in even before you know what the questions are then. And that number is 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. Alex? we've got to each ask three questions, you, Brent and myself. And, then they may ask us a question now today. You know, on regular days, we take a long time to answer. We can. Today we're going to make them as short as we can and hopefully they'll stick to Christmas questions. That's your goal, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is.

Fire Away Friday comes as we get closer to Christmas Day

It's good to be with you, Bert. And we are at Fire Away Friday and we're getting ever closer to Christmas Day. Hope you're really feeling it and just in your heart. And then, as you go through the day, hope you're just praising God for the birth of Jesus. And yes, the number, as bert said, is triple 858-98-8840. Now, I have to tell you, Bert, I, I read through the Bible, the gospels and the, the story of, Jesus being born. And I, I think I might have come up with like the hardest Christmas question we've ever had. Okay, I got a couple and I know you do too. but we're, going to ask questions. But as Bert said, you all can ask us questions too, because it is Fireway Friday. And, the questions come in. But, Bert, have you got the call board up there?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, they're coming in. We got to ask the questions first. And, so Brent are ready to start out. Brent's participating. And let me share with you. One of Brent's questions is a mystery question. If you answer that question correctly, we won't tell you which one it is. But if you happen to ask that question, answer that Question, you'll get a gift. And Alex has one. I have one. So there's three mystery questions. And when you answer that question, if you got that sound effect ready, if you answer that question correctly, you'll hear this sound. Okay, so we'll be ready to go.

>> Alex McFarland: In the Exploring the word studio. 50,000 people.

>> Bert Harper: That's it.

We'll start with Brent with your three questions. Alex, what's your three

Well, we'll start with Brent with your three questions. Brent, go right ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, all of mine are going to be movie questions.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Right ahead, man. We're ready.

>> Alex McFarland: My first question is. Name the Wet Bandits from Home Alone. Second question. And Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean. What does Mr. Bean get stuck on his head?

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: And of course, my favorite movie Christmas, story. What magazine did Ralphie hide the Red Rider ad in the pages of, for his mother to find?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, that's his three. Alex, what's your three?

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, and do you want them in hard or not hard?

>> Bert Harper: You just start. It doesn't matter. Don't tell. Cause we just do it at random. Your three.

Okay, in no particular order, here are my three questions about Christmas

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, in no particular order, here are my three questions. Okay, number one. In A Charlie Brown Christmas, what does Linus recite on stage? Question number two. Now listen carefully. How many days old was the infant John the Baptist when his father Zacharias got his voice back? And then number three. Who was Archelaus? And I think that might be my mystery question. who was Archelaus?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, he's giving you guys a hint. So if you.

>> Alex McFarland: And this is Christmas related, all this is Christmas.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, here's my three. In the song the 12 Days of Christmas, how many presents are given in total? In the psalm the twelve days of Christmas, how many presents are given in total? Here's number two. Where did Joseph flee to with Mary and Jesus? Where did he flee? And then our third question. Which president of the United States signed the bill that made Christmas a federal holiday? Which president signed the bill to make Christmas a federal holiday? Holiday.

How many days old was the infant John the Baptist when his father got voice back

So we're ready to go to the phone lines. And so we're going to go first to Mississippi, and we're going to talk. It is Steve. Steve, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey, how are you doing?

>> Bert Harper: Good. You want to answer, ask or both?

>> Caroline: I just like to answer.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Which question?

>> Caroline: Alex's question about, Zacharias.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, yeah, let me. Let me restate that question, and Steve will get your answer. How many days old was the infant John the Baptist when his father Zacharias got his voice back?

>> Caroline: I think it was on the eighth.

>> Alex McFarland: Day Brent hit that.

>> Bert Harper: No, no, that's just. Is that your mystery question?

>> Alex McFarland: No, no, that was a general question.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, we just get that sound for the mystery question.

>> Alex McFarland: Steve, you are right.

>> Bert Harper: Applause for that ourselves.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, this is in Luke 1:59, 64. They took the infant Elizabeth and Zacharias to the temple to be circumcised. And everybody there said, oh, it's Zacharias. It's Zacharias junior. And Zacharias, the dad said, no and said, get me something to write with. And it said, he wrote, his name is John, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. And he got his voice back.

>> Bert Harper: He didn't write John the Baptist, he just wrote John.

>> Alex McFarland: He wrote, his name is John.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, I just wondered about that. Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: Later on, he would be known as John the Baptizer. But, Bert, I just love in Luke, chapter one. And it is in Matthew too, but the coming of John the Baptist, that's a key part too. But, Steve, you are very astute, my friend.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Steve, do you have a question for us?

>> Caroline: No, I just wanted to answer.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Great job, Steve. Thank you. That number, 888-589-8840. Triple 858-98-8840.

Question: Where did Joseph flee to with Mary and Jesus? Answer: Egypt

Let's go to Missouri and talk to Diana. Diana. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hello, this is Diana from Maryland.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, Maryland. It's a D in place of an O. I'm sorry, Deanna. Okay, the D. And, on my little screen, it's hard to tell the difference. I'm going to have to look closer. Well, it's great to have you, Diana from Maryland. Do you want to ask answer or both?

>> Caroline: I'd like to do both.

>> Bert Harper: Well, go ahead. Which question would you like to answer first?

>> Caroline: I'd like to answer them. Joseph is too.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Joseph fled. Here it is. Which. Where did Joseph flee to with Mary and Jesus?

>> Caroline: He fled to Egypt.

>> Bert Harper: That is correct. Good answer. Yes. And it was by a dream. I won't take long. But every time there was a time to believe God. God let Joseph have a dream. Four dreams. He has to direct him. Great answer.

Alex: Diana, what does begotten mean in the Bible

well, you have your question for us. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Yeah, I'd like to know what it means when it says in the Bible that God gave his only begotten son. What does begotten mean?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, you can read some versions, and it will say unique. but begotten. It is unique, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: It really is. This is, Diana, such a great question. In John 3:16, very famously, the King James says, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. Well, in the original language, it, only is M, M, O, N, O. Mono and begotten is really the word. It looks like Genesis. G, E, N E, S I S. It's pronounced Genesis. So God gave his monogenesis son. Now what does that mean? What it literally means is that the baby Jesus, the Lord Jesus, he is of the same nature as the Father. See, this is so significant, that Jesus Christ is God incarnate.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: God in human form. Now, I've shared the gospel with quite a few Muslims and they've been taught wrongly, I would say, that only begotten means something else. And they're very mistaken on it when what it means monogenesis M, that Christ the Lord is of the same essence or nature or substance as the Father. That's why Jesus could say, if you've seen me, you have seen the Father. And they say, show us God. And Jesus said, I that speak to you am he.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Diana, thank you for that. Good question. We appreciate it so much.

Alex and Brent are doing Christmas trivia, so don't go away

Okay, let's go to Alabama and it's John. John, thank you for calling. Yeah, do you want to answer? We're going kind of quickly so we can get as many people in. So we hate to do this, but we're, we don't have an hour and a half like trivia does. So we're going to quickly. Hey, you want to answer or ask or both Ask. Okay, go ahead with your question, John.

>> Caroline: How did, we. It determined that December 25th was Jesus birth date?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, we don't know what day he was born on first for sure, do we?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it's very fascinating and I would encourage you to Google. There's a wonderful man, he's long since gone to heaven. Dr. Henry Morris, Ph.D. he wrote extensively on this. There's a couple of things. and by the way, the early church was celebrating Christmas, at least by 125 A.D. I had somebody ask me yesterday, is it right to celebrate Christmas? And yes, the Christians for many, many, many centuries have celebrated the birth of Jesus. All right, There was a Roman festival called Sol Invictus, the Invincible Sun. S U n. And many early Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus during, the birth of not the s u n sun, but the s o n, the Son of God. and it was very appropriate because the days are short, the nights are long. In the bleak mid winter, the darkest part of the year came the light of the world. But Dr. Henry Morris writes about how at, December 25th there was the feast of Michaelmas and it means Michael sent. And they believe that maybe December 25th was the miraculous virginal conception. And nine months later in September might have been when Jesus was actually born. But December 24th, 25th was when, the Virgin Mary began to carry the baby Jesus. And, Bert, the fact is we don't know. I will say this. We have a. Regardless of what day we celebrated the birth of Jesus, we have a 1 in 365 chance of being correct.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Hey, it is a celebration. That's what we do, John. Yeah, the birthday, to put it correctly. We celebrate his birth. We're going to go to Bill in Virginia and get at least an introduction. Bill, thank you for calling. yes, do you want to answer, ask or both? Bill?

>> Caroline: Well, I was being introduced at the same time that the first set of questions were announced and I Didn't you miss.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, can. Let me tell you, we're running, 30 seconds away. Can you put him on hold? put Bill on hold and we'll come back and at the start of the next, segment, we'll revamp our Christian, our questions and ask them. And that way, Bill, you'll get them and you'll know what they are and you can pick the one you want to answer. Again, this is exploring the word burden, Alex and Brent, and we are doing Christmas trivia, so don't go away. We've got some more callers that want to answer our questions.

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>> Caroline: They do an ultrasound. And that's when everything changed. Because when I saw my baby, when I heard her heartbeat, that was it.

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>> Alex McFarland: Snowflakes are falling on a silent night. for now all is calm and for now all is bright. Till the sound of the doorbell fills the this house with Fear, Dysfunctional family. Christmas is here.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, that's a Brett Austin song. We. But we're going to restate our questions. We're doing a little bit different. And if your questions require a long answer, we're going to do our best to give short answers so we can get as many callers on as we can. But we're going to restate our questions. Brent, go first. Be listening. You're going to have to answer one of these. You bet. You pick them.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, here we go. name the Wet Bandits from home alone. Number two. And Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean. What does Mr. Bean get stuck on his head? And the third question in a Christmas Story, what magazine did Ralphie hide the Red Rider? Add in the pages of, for his mother to find.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, that's his three. Alex, go with yours.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, now, one of mine's already gotten answered.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. Add a third one with yours if you got one.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

Three middle school boys call with their Christmas questions. We love ours answered. Judy, thank you for calling

All right, here's a question. In a, Ah, Charlie Brown Christmas, what does Linus recite on stage? Now, here's my hard mystery question. Who was Archelaus? And I'll give you a hint. It's in Matthew, chapter two. Who was Archelaus? And then the third question, and this one's super duper easy. who directed my favorite movie, It's a Wonderful Life?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, great question. Yes, yes, yes. Okay, here's, here's mine. In the song the 12 Days of Christmas, how many presents are given in total? Other question is, which president signed the bill to that made Christmas a federal holiday? Here's my third question. What are the names of the other chipmunks who sing with Alvin? Okay. What are those names? Okay, that's awesome. Well, you can tell Juvenile Bert Harper. You know, I still got it. I got it.

>> Alex McFarland: You're listening to three middle school boys here.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, let's go. Hey, Bill, are you there?

>> Caroline: I'm here.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, which, one of those questions you want to answer now?

>> Caroline: The only one I know the answer to is the one that I heard y' all talking about in the background a little while ago. Weird person from Alex's, name. the weird name person.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, what is it?

>> Alex McFarland: Arcalius?

>> Caroline: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: Who is he?

>> Caroline: A son of Herod.

>> Bert Harper: Bill.

>> Alex McFarland: Bill, this is Alex here. Yeah, I am impressed. I am very impressed. See, Herod was having the babies two years and younger killed. So God led Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and Joseph. They went out of the area. I'm not going to say where, because that's one of the questions, isn't It.

>> Bert Harper: It is.

>> Alex McFarland: But anyway, Herod died, and his son. It's a very brief reference. Matthew 2:22. Archelaus, the son of Herod, reigned. But he was a fearful person. He wasn't messing with the babies. And, so Mary, Joseph and Jesus came back and dwelt in Galilee. Bill, I am impressed. I didn't know that anybody would get that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, he got it. And Bill, Brent's, going to. Do you have a question for us, Bill?

>> Caroline: I'm afraid I do not.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. That's all right, man. We love ours answered. put him on hold, Brent.

>> Alex McFarland: He's there.

>> Bert Harper: He's there on hold. And give Marty your address. You're going to get a gift. Okay, let's go to Michigan. Judy, thank you for calling.

Alex asked a question about Charlie Brown Christmas and what Linus says

>> Caroline: Hello, I would like to answer Alex's question about Charlie Brown and the, and what Linus says.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, restate your question, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, the question is this. In a, Charlie Brown Christmas, what does Linus recite on stage?

>> Caroline: And there were shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be assigned to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men on whom his favor rests. And that's what Christmas is all about.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Let it go, Judy.

>> Alex McFarland: By the way, that is Luke, chapter two, verses eight through 14 and. Yes. And did you do that from memory, Judy?

>> Caroline: I sure did.

>> Bert Harper: Way to go, girl. Hey, listen, Judy, hang on. We got some extra gifts. We're gonna put you on hold and we're going for you.

>> Alex McFarland: That was a bonus.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, that was too good not to do.

>> Alex McFarland: Sister, you have no idea how that blessed my heart.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Marty's going to put you on hold. Hey, Judy, you have a question for us first?

>> Caroline: No, no, I'll let somebody else jump on hold.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Thank you, Judy. And you've blessed us today. Great job, great work, Alex. Praise the Lord. Man, no wonder we got such good people that listen to explore the word. They know the word.

>> Alex McFarland: I've got to say, Angie came up with that question.

>> Bert Harper: Well, amen. It was a good question. Way to go, Angie.

Question about how many total, uh, Christmas gifts are given

Okay, let's go to Texas and talk to Donna. Donna, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yes, thank you.

>> Bert Harper: Well, do you want to answer or ask or both?

>> Caroline: Probably.

>> Caroline: just answer. I have a possible question, but. Okay, I just, was just going to answer one. the question about how many total, Christmas gifts.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. I love this song. Originally, I heard it was teaching some biblical, things, and I've researched it, and that's a possibility. But the question is, in the song the 12 Days of Christmas, how many presents are given in total?

>> Caroline: I believe the answer is 78.

>> Bert Harper: No, it was a lot more. What you did. See, each day it goes up. They got, Let me give everybody a little hint. I don't mean to cut you off, but they got like, one partridge in a pear tree. They got that 12 times. Okay. And the two turtle doves, they get that 11 times. So you see how it works? 78 is the total. Yeah, yeah. Each day they're given and added more and more. Judy, if you add that up and call back, we'll try to get you on. Okay. Do you want to ask your question from us for us, Donna? excuse me. I'm sorry, Donna.

>> Caroline: Yeah, it's not a Christmas question, so I don't know.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Try to call back another time and we'll do our best. Okay?

>> Caroline: Okay.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Donna. Praise the Lord. Amen. that is a little tricky question, but it's the key word is total. How many total? So that's the quick key.

Alex: Dennis wants to make an answer on the birth of Jesus

Let's go to Texas and talk to Dennis. Dennis, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hello?

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, you're on, Dennis. You want to answer, ask, or both?

>> Caroline: Well, I just want to make an answer on the birth of Jesus. And it's, just going to make one quick statement on how to find that date. It's only one place that I know of in the Bible, and it is in the book of Luke, and it was the course of Abaya. That's when John the Baptist was born. Mm.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, you got that, Alex, is that your question?

>> Alex McFarland: Because, Zacharias was of the lineage or the course of Abijah. Now let me say this. Are you, basing this. Dennis, this is really good. And I think Dr. Henry Morris invokes this too. So whenever Zacharias would have been offering incense, and then, of course, nine months from there was the birth of John the Baptist. But six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy was when Mary, was found to be with Child. So do you know, Dennis, let me ask you this, because I didn't look this up when a priest after the order of Abijah would have offered incense. Is that what you're calculating from their dentist? And. And when would that have been? I'm asking. I don't know.

>> Caroline: well, it is. It is, six months from when Mary went to Elizabeth.

>> Alex McFarland: Right.

>> Caroline: And I went to ask a bunch of, rabbis, and they couldn't answer my question.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

>> Caroline: Find it. I can find the answer for that. I was looking it up in my. My notes, but I can't, find it right now.

>> Bert Harper: Well, Dennis, let me tell you, we're trying. We got a line and we're trying to be as precise as we can. hey, call. Would you call back? We've got a lot of time between now and Christmas. And call back. And. And we would love to hear more about that and Alex will discuss it with you. Thank you, Dennis. I hope you have a blessed day, brother.

Let's go to Arkansas and talk to Charlotte. Charlotte, thank you for calling

Let's go to Arkansas and talk to Charlotte. Charlotte, thank you for calling. Be sure and turn your radio off. Charlotte? Charlotte, are you there?

>> Caroline: Yeah. Thank you.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, ma', am. Go right ahead. You want to ask answer or both?

>> Caroline: Okay, I want to answer.

>> Bert Harper: Which question?

>> Caroline: Okay. I believe it was Alex. The total presence. 364. My husband and I figured it ourselves.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, that is right. 364 questions in the 12 days of Christmas. That's a lot of presents. somebody had a lot of money. That true? My true love. we don't know who true love was, but he was giving them a lot of presents. Great work, Charlotte and your husband. Y' all figured that out together.

>> Caroline: We did. We did this several years ago.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, do you have a question, for us?

>> Caroline: No. I just want to tell you, you bring a lot to my life, you and Alex, and, try to listen to you daily. Try to walk on the treadmill and get some good gospel. Same time.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, man. That's spiritual and phys exercise at the same time. That's great, Charlotte. Thank you so much.

Lexi answers Brent's question about the Wet Bandits

Well, let's go on to Ohio. And it's Lexie. Lexie, thank you for calling today.

>> Caroline: Hi.

>> Bert Harper: Yes. Well, you want to. I just got to ask. Is the storm. Has it made it your way or is it coming your way?

>> Caroline: Not yet.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, stay, stay. Stay warm and stay safe. But do you want to answer? Ask her. Both.

>> Caroline: I would like to do both, please.

>> Bert Harper: which question do you want to ask? Excuse. me. Answer.

>> Caroline: I would like to answer Brent's question about the Wet Bandits.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, there you go, Brent.

>> Alex McFarland: Finally, a Brent fan name the Wet Bandits.

>> Caroline: Marvin.

>> Caroline: Harry.

>> Bert Harper: That's right, Harry.

>> Caroline: Yeah, that's what was running through my head.

>> Alex McFarland: How familiar that was.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, that is great. way to, go, Lexie.

Which country started the tradition of putting up the Christmas tree

Hey, what's your question for us?

>> Caroline: Which country started the tradition of, putting up the Christmas tree?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, I think we both know that, but you go ahead and answer. I'm having to.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm gonna guess. Was it Germany? Was that Martin Luther, perhaps?

>> Bert Harper: Martin Luther. Go ahead, Alexis. Is that what you know?

>> Caroline: Yes. Well, Germany, Germany, 19th century.

>> Bert Harper: And what happened? Victoria married Prince Albert, who had roots in Germany, and he brought that tradition from Germany into England, and it became an English tradition as well. And then because of the German and English influence in America, America received both. We got a double dose of it. And, But that is true. The other day I saw a film clip on somebody that had a hundred and something Christmas trees in their house in Germany. And, Yeah, it was great, Bert.

>> Alex McFarland: I would if I could.

>> Bert Harper: Well, we got, we got more than, Anyway, we won't go there. Okay, Lexie, thank you. That was great, question, great answer and appreciate you so much.

Dora the Explorer calls from Mississippi; make sure your radio is off

Okay. Yeah, we got plenty of time. Let's go to Mississippi. Dora, thank you for calling. Dora, are you. I just got to ask this. Are you Dora the Explorer? Go ahead and cut your radio off.

>> Caroline: Dora, Dora?

>> Bert Harper: Dora, are you there for some reason? Okay, go ahead. Dora, do you want to ask, answer or both? Okay, put all. we had to cut. Sorry, Dora. Be sure, all of you who are listening, make sure your radio is off. It has too much feedback and we can't get it. So, Dora, if you can call back, we'd love to talk with you.

Which president signed bill that made Christmas a federal holiday? Useless

Let's go to Kentucky real quickly and talk to Paul. Paul, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Thank you.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, sir, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: I would like to answer, please. Answer, please. Two questions.

>> Bert Harper: just, just, just ask. Just answer one, because we, we want to save some for other people. Go ahead, Paul.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: All right.

>> Caroline: It was Grant. Ulysses S. Grant.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, here's the question. Which president signed the bill that made Christmas a federal holiday? Useless? I mean, Ulysses S. Grant. My. Yeah. How you like that? That's the mystery question. That's it. And all those folks. That's from Ohio. I didn't mean to say what I said, because being a Southerner years and years ago, we came up with nicknames for everybody, and Ulysses S. Grant is the answer. Praise the Lord. Did you just know that off the top of your head, Paul, or did you have to look it up?

>> Caroline: I knew it off the top of my head. I've been American.

>> Bert Harper: Ah.

>> Caroline: I've been into American history and the President's for a while, so I happen to know it well.

>> Bert Harper: I just had to ask. I had to put. I love history as well. I know Alex does. But I had to put a little history question into. Into my questions. And you did. Great job. You're going to get a, gift. We're going to put you on hold, get your mailing address so we can, give you a gift for answering that question.

This is a special edition of Exploring the Word Trivia

Thank you, Paul. You're listening to Exploring the Word. This is a special edition of Exploring the Word Trivia. Christmas trivia here on, Exploring the Word. And we got one more segment. We got callers ready to answer, so don't go away.

>> Jeff Chamblee: The mission of AFA is to inform, equip and activate individuals and families to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture and give aid to the church here and abroad. And its task of fulfilling the Great Commission.

>> Bert Harper: AFA upholds the truth that all human.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Beings, including the unborn, are created in the image of God and are worthy of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thank you for standing with the American Family Association.

>> Bert Harper: Holy script. Amen. We'd love to hear the whole thing, but we're trying to get to as many calls as we can. So we're going to do that, but we're asking Bible questions, and Brent has some, I have some, Alex has some. And so we're going to restate them, and we'll try to get to as many as we can in this last segment. Brent, go right ahead with your questions.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm going to change mine up since not really getting any responses to my movie questions. So here's my three. What's the name of the Grinch's dog? And an elf. What is Buddy's favorite type of pasta? And in a third one, what magazine did Ralphie hide the Red Rider ad in the pages of for his mother to find?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, great, great. Alex, go ahead with yours.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, the last one that I've got that hasn't been answered, although I'm going to add one to it. and it's, who directed my favorite movie, It's a Wonderful Life. But let me say this. this year, approximately 1.3 billion of these are going to be sent change hands during Christmas. What are they? 1.3 billion of something this month. What is it?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, I'm going to write something down here. And see if I get it right. If not, it's be funny. Anyway, here's mine. Okay, what are the names of the other chipmunks who sing with Alvin? And I'm asking this one. Another one in this. What direction did the wise men travel? Going to Bethlehem. What direction did they travel? Going to Bethlehem. Okay, that's our questions. And we're going to go to Tennessee. And, Darrell, which question you want to take a stab at, brother? Darrell? Are you there, Darrell from Tennessee?

>> Caroline: I want to answer about the chipmunks.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, you must have a, mental. Yeah. Okay, that's a good question. Here's the question. And, Darrell from Tennessee is going to answer it. What are the names of the other chipmunks who sing with Alvin? Go ahead, Darrell.

>> Caroline: It's, Simon and Theodore.

>> Bert Harper: Whoo. That is correct. Way to go. Alvin. Alvin. Okay. Love that. Appreciate that. Great answer. And, we hope you have a merry Christmas. Let's go to Mississippi and. And talk to Marilyn. Marilyn, thank you for calling. Do you want to answer? Ask her. Both.

>> Caroline: Both.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, which question you want to answer?

>> Caroline: the Grinch's dog's name.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Brent, you restate the name of the Grinch's dog? Max. Way to go, Max. And he became a reindeer one night, though, right?

>> Alex McFarland: One antler.

>> Bert Harper: One antler. One antler, yeah. Way to go.

Nobody actually knows the true date of Jesus birth

Hey, Marilyn, do you have a question for us? Yeah, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: We celebrate Christmas on December 25, but nobody actually knows the true date of Jesus birth. Who chose that date? Do you know?

>> Bert Harper: Alex? Do you remember We. Yeah. You've done a lot of research on this or read a lot. Do you know who?

>> Alex McFarland: I can't name it off the top of my head.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: would it have been Constantine? I don't know.

>> Bert Harper: Marilyn, we. You stopped us. Go ahead, tell us.

>> Caroline: I have no idea.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, I don't know him.

>> Alex McFarland: She was looking for information.

>> Bert Harper: I have no idea. I've never. No, yeah, I know who that is. Hey, I don't know, but listen again. People get all upset. Oh, that's not his real birthday. It may not be, but we can celebrate it. Marilyn, have you ever celebrated your birthday on some other day besides your birthday?

>> Alex McFarland: I have.

>> Bert Harper: I have, too. I have, too. Way to go, Marilyn. Thank you. I have no idea. That's perfect. Merry Christmas.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm going to follow up. So, folks, between now and Christmas, stay tuned. We will follow up and give some what, we believe to be definitive research on this.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, that was Marilyn.

Ask Marianne about Alex's favorite Christmas movie

Now let's go to Marianne in Ohio. Marianne. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hi, there.

>> Caroline: This is fun.

>> Bert Harper: Well, that's what. We do it this. We do it this way. We want. Christians can have as much. We have more fun than other people. We just have it clean. Go ahead, Marianne. You want to ask. Answer. Ask her. Both.

>> Caroline: Both.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Which question?

>> Caroline: The question about Alex's favorite Christmas movie.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, restate the question.

>> Alex McFarland: Who directed the film It's a Wonderful Life?

>> Caroline: The famous Frank Capra.

>> Bert Harper: That's right, man.

>> Alex McFarland: Very good. Hey, I gotta tell you this. one of, and maybe the only last surviving cast member is named Carolyn Grimes. And she played Zuzu, the daughter. And Jimmy Stewart famously said, come here, you little ginger snap. And she is still living, and she travels and will, lecture at the showings of It's a Wonderful Life. And I emailed her a couple of years ago, and we want to get her in an event one of these days.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. Marianne, the great Frank Capra, who made wholesome, uplifting films, of course, the most famous of which is It's a Wonderful Life.

>> Bert Harper: Well, you ask her, does she still have the rose petals?

>> Alex McFarland: I, will.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Yes. Make sure.

Marianne has a question about an Andy Griffith Christmas episode

Hey, Marianne, you got a question for us?

>> Caroline: I do. It's probably one that you're going to be able to answer. Burke, from the Christmas Story. That's the title. Andy Griffiths Christmas, story episode. The grumpy old businessman. Remember Ben Weaver?

>> Bert Harper: Yes.

>> Caroline: He tried to get himself. Yes. He tried to get himself arrested. but before that, who was he trying to get arrested and what for?

>> Bert Harper: Oh, man. What was their names for Sailing? moonshine.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, my.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, do you remember their names?

>> Alex McFarland: I really don't. Now, Now, this wasn't the. The renters he was trying to throw out of the house, was it?

>> Bert Harper: No, that was a different episode. This one, I think he was. They were selling. He called it spirits, you know. Is that right, Marianne?

>> Caroline: That's right.

>> Caroline: Well, you got one of the two. It's Sam Muggins. And I think he was the same man or character that he did try to get thrown out.

>> Bert Harper: Both of them. He played both parts. He did, but that one, that is the only Andy Griffith Christmas program that you have. And Ben Weaver. The scene that just drives me is him outside looking through the window with the bars as they're singing. And, it's a scene you'll never forget. Way to go, Marianne. may Andy Griffith show fans increase. That's. That's great. Thank you again.

Which one do you want to answer first? We take answers first

Let's go to Oklahoma. And it's Jason. Jason, thank you for Calling.

>> Caroline: Hello?

>> Bert Harper: Hello, brother.

>> Caroline: I want to answer. Can you hear me?

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, go ahead. Which one? Good.

>> Caroline: I want to ask and answer.

>> Bert Harper: Which one do you want to answer first? We take answers first.

>> Caroline: Okay, I'm going to answer the one about elf. Buddy, the elf loved spaghetti.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Brett, is that right?

>> Alex McFarland: That is exactly right.

>> Bert Harper: What kind of syrup? Wait a minute.

>> Alex McFarland: Kind, of syrup.

>> Bert Harper: What kind of syrup, Jason?

>> Caroline: Well, maple syrup, of course.

>> Alex McFarland: You are the man.

>> Caroline: Three favorite food groups were candy canes, syrup, and I think spaghetti. Maybe I'll go watch it again.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Hey, you don't have to watch it if you just ask Brent the question on A Christmas Story. He knows it. He knows it. listen.

I'm gonna go to Santa Claus, and I'd like to know if

Okay, you have a question for us?

>> Caroline: Yeah, let me think of one. I'm gonna go to Santa Claus, and I'd like to see if you guys know if the real Santa Claus was a yes or no. What faith, what religion did the real Santa claus practice?

>> Bert Harper: Okay. St. Nicholas in Turkey. Is that right so far?

>> Caroline: St. Nicholas Klaus. Yeah.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. in Turkey. Yeah, in Turkey. Was he a Roman, Catholic?

>> Caroline: I don't know. Was he?

>> Bert Harper: Alex, do you remember?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, the Catholic Church as we know it really didn't exist yet. He was a Christian bishop in the fourth century, which would have been, you know, in the late or the mid-300s, in fact, do you know? St. Nicholas was at the Council of Nicaea in 325. So he really, They believe he was of Greek descent. He was a Christian bishop. So while he is named as one of the saints of the Catholic Church, this really was before Catholicism as we know it existed.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: By the way, there's a really good book. It's a very serious book, called the Autobiography. No, the Biography of Santa Claus. And, yes, he was a bishop in northern Turkey, and he was known, among other things. I mean, he was a great defender of the deity of Christ, St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, who gave gifts to orphans, to children. But he was very theologically sound, Bert. I think, were he still alive, we could have had him on exploring the word amen.

>> Bert Harper: I wish we could have. I tell you, sometimes time travel would be helpful. Okay, enough said. I don't want to hear it. It'd just be helpful.

Brent: Which Christmas question has not been answered by you

Let's redo the questions we have, and if we don't have one or two, I got two or three more. Brent, which question has not been answered by you?

>> Alex McFarland: In A Christmas Story, what magazine did Ralphie hide the Red Rider ad in the pages of, for his mother? To find. And, let's see. What did I do? They've already done the other. So I'll do this one in. Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean. What does Mr. Bean get stuck on his head?

>> Bert Harper: That's right. Okay, Alex, yours was giving something being given and received. What was that?

>> Alex McFarland: 1.3 billion of something will change hands this month. What is it?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, and here's mine. and it's this. What direction did the wise men travel? Going to Bethlehem. And I'm going to add this one because we got fewer questions. What is the most published Christmas hymn? The one that's being published. The most. Not necessarily sung, but published. Which one? And it's a hymn.

Okay, let's go to Texas and talk to Linda. This is the poetry lady from Abernathy

Okay, let's go to Texas and talk to Linda. Linda, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Well, thank you for taking my call.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, ma'. Am. do you want to answer, ask or both?

>> Caroline: I'm going to ask. This is the poetry lady from Abernathy.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, I remember. Yeah. I do. Hey, one of my questions. Yeah. One of my questions that I was going to ask. I hadn't. Was about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, America's poet. But go ahead with your poetry question. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Okay.

Alex: Other than prophecy, what is significant about Bethlehem and Nazareth

Other than, prophecy, what is significant about Bethlehem and Nazareth?

>> Bert Harper: Other than prophecy, what is significant? Well, Jesus lived in Bethlehem at least a year and a half, probably, and he lived in Nazareth his whole childhood. Okay, Alex, can you think of other things?

>> Alex McFarland: wasn't Nazareth where, when the Babylonian captivity took place? Wasn't Nazareth where the Jewish, captives were led away to Babylon from?

>> Caroline: those are all true, but that's not the answer to my question. Okay. What's significant is the fact that Bethlehem means house of bread, and Jesus was the bread of life, Nazareth. The root word is branch, and he was the branch of Jesse.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. That is true. Amen. Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament. is not mentioned. but it became significant when they asked the question, can anything good come out of Nazareth? Even though nothing had ever come out of Nazareth good, it did after Jesus came. So thank you, Linda. Appreciate that.

What direction did the wise men travel going to Bethlehem? It was toward the east

Okay. Is it Frank in Kentucky? Frank, thank you for calling. You have. You want to answer, ask. Or both? what's that? No, what do you want?

>> Alex McFarland: He said both.

>> Bert Harper: Both. Both. Okay. Okay. That's.

>> Alex McFarland: Get in that phone.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, that's right. It can distort it. What. Which question you want to answer?

>> Caroline: which direction the magi were traveling?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, here it is. What direction did the wise men travel going to Bethlehem?

>> Caroline: It was toward the east.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. They Saw his star in the east, but they didn't travel eastward. They really didn't. If you look at the map, they traveled westward. They traveled westward. They really did. yeah, they saw a star in the east, and that's kind of a tricky question. I had two or three like that. but they traveled west. But go ahead for your question for us, Frank.

>> Caroline: Okay. Well, I was just, listening to y', all, and Alex was right about Constantine. It's not really a question. I just make a statement. Sorry. Constantine was the one that came up with or during his time for December 25, because the pagans had, winter solstice, rituals, and he wanted something to offset that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, I appreciate that.

Alex and Brent answer your questions before we go off on Christmas

Well, guys, we don't have time for any more questions, and so we want to answer our questions before we go off. Brent, I can't wait to get Alex's answer about that exchange, but go ahead, Brent.

>> Alex McFarland: my question. What magazine did Ralphie hide the Red Rider ad in the pages of, for his mother to find it? Was look magazine. Look magazine in Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean. What does Mr. Bean get stuck on his head? A turkey.

>> Bert Harper: A turkey. Okay, Alex, I want to know the answer to your question. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, 1.3 billion of something changes hands, and maybe people thought it was dollars, people spending money, but no, it's Christmas cards.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, I thought it was. I thought it was fruitcakes.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, that'd be good. But, yeah. So, hey, you know what? Spread some cheer. Put a smile on somebody's face. Give them a Christmas card. 1.3 billion Christmas cards this month.

>> Bert Harper: Wow. Okay, here's this. What is the most published Christmas hymn? Joy to the world. Alex. Oh, hallelujah.

>> Alex McFarland: That was Isaac.

>> Bert Harper: That wasn't necessarily written as a Christmas song, but it sure has become one. The Lord has come. That's good news, isn't it, Alex and Brent?

>> Alex McFarland: It is. Well, we love Christmas. And folks, be in church on Sunday, maybe even invite somebody, get somebody into the sound of the gospel, because Christmas is a reminder of how much God loves us, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. Brent. Thank you for being one of our. Thanks for having me. Yeah. No, you did great. He had to do a lot and appreciate it. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. Tell someone about it and Merry Christmas.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Caroline: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

It's Christmas Trivia on Fire Away Friday