Revised Advent Trivia

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.