Blogger’s
Note: Culled from varied Catholic online sources, this Advent Trivia is aimed
at enriching Religious Education students’ understanding and appreciation of
the meaning and celebration of the Advent season.
1. What is the meaning
of the word “advent”?
2. What does Advent celebrate
as a liturgical season?
3. This famous Father
and Doctor of the Church was considered the real architect of the Roman
Advent. He fixed the season at four weeks and composed seasonal
prayers and antiphons.
4. How long is Advent
Season in terms of weeks?
5. When does Advent
Season begin and end?
6. What is the
traditional term for the Third Sunday of Advent which is associated with the "Entrance Antiphon" of this
Sunday's Mass taken from Paul's letter to the Philippians: "Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near" (Phil
4:4-5b)?
7. What is the
official liturgical color of Advent which reflects the penitential aspect of
the season (prayer, fasting and repentance)?
8. What color is used
on the Third Sunday of Advent in anticipation of the joy of Christmas?
9. What color is used
by Anglican and some Protestant Churches throughout Advent Season?
10. A typical Advent
symbol which displays an evergreen wreath decorated with pine cones, nuts or
seedpods and four candles throughout the Advent Season.
11. What is the
symbolism of evergreens, circular-shape, pine cones, and nuts or seedpods and
four candles in the wreath?
12. What are the
specific names and symbolisms assigned for each candle in the wreath?
13. On Christmas Eve, a
fifth candle is placed in the middle of the wreath symbolizing the arrival of
Christ, the light of the world. What is the color of this candle?
14. Another typical
Advent symbol is the Jesse Tree. How many symbols does a typical Jesse Tree
have?
15. What do these
symbols in the Jesse Tree signify or stress?
16. When is the
appropriate season and day to begin putting up and designing the Jesse
Tree? Write your answer in this format: SEASON – DAY
17. On the First Sunday of Advent, the readings look forward to the
"End Times" and the coming of the "Day of the Lord" or the
"Messianic Age"; the Gospel is an excerpt from the Apocalyptic
Discourse of Jesus in one of the Synoptic Gospels. Name the synoptic Gospels.
18. On the Second and Third Sundays of Advent, the Gospel readings focus on the
preaching and ministry of the forerunner of Jesus, the one who came to
"Prepare the Way of the Lord." Name the forerunner of the Lord whose
preaching sums up and surpasses all the prophets.
19. On Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Gospels tell of the events that
immediately preceded the birth of Jesus, including the dreams and visions of
Joseph and Mary of Nazareth. Who appeared to Joseph and Mary in their dreams
and visions?
20.
From
what particular prophetic book in the Old Testament the first readings are
mostly taken from for the weekdays of Advent up to December 16?
21. The weekdays from
December 17 to 24 also make use of the “O Antiphon,” recited or chanted not
only during Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours, but also in the
Alleluia verse before the Gospel at Mass. They cover the special period of
Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas. Each “O Antiphon”
highlights a title of Christ mentioned in the Scripture. List the names of the
seven antiphons in Latin and English.
22. In what particular
abbey or monastery, the “O Antiphons” were first recited by the monks in
descending rank and then a gift was given to each member of the community?
23. In the Jesse Tree
which highlights the family tree of Jesus Christ, name the respective symbols
that designate the different titles of Jesus Christ in the “O Antiphons”?
Write your answer in this format: “O ANTIPHON” - SYMBOL
24. This song is of the
most solemn Advent hymn whose text is based on the biblical prophecy from
Isaiah 7:14 which tells us God will give Israel a sign that will be called
Emmanuel. Matthew 1:23 states the fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of
Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is believed that this traditional music stems from a
15th century French processional for Franciscan nuns, but it may also have 8th
Century Gregorian origins.
25. What is the term used
by most Eastern Orthodox and other Eastern Christian Churches for “Advent Fast”
which usually lasts for forty days
before Christmas. It may begin on November 15 (for those Churches that
celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25), or in late November (for those Churches that
celebrate Christmas on January 7 or 8).
26. Several
"Feasts" and "Memorials" of saints can be celebrated on the
weekends of Advent, but most of them are omitted if the usual date happens to
fall on a Sunday in a particular year, since these celebrations are considered
less important than the Sundays of Advent. Name the following feast days:
a. November 30
b. December 3
c. December 6
d. December 7
e. December 8
f. December 12
g. December 13
h. December 14
27. Aside from Roman
Catholics, what other Christian denominations celebrate Advent?
28. A popular Filipino
tradition in celebrating Advent by way
of going to the nearest to attend a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother which
begins on December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the
“Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus
Christ.
