Advent Trivia

1. What is Advent?
A. Preparation
B. Celebration
C. Mourning
D. Darkness

A. Preparation
TOPICS: In the Christian church, Advent is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

2. What feast marks the beginning of the Advent period?
A. Feast of John the Baptist
B. Feast of St. Andrew
C. Feast of St. Matthew
D. Feast of Thanksgiving

B. Feast of St. Andrew
TOPICS: Advent is a period beginning with the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (30 November) which does coincide pretty closely with Thanksgiving many years. In the 5th Century, Advent began on 11 November (St Martin's Day) and took the form of a six week fast leading to Christmas. During the 6th century, Advent was reduced to its current length and later the fasting was dropped.

3. How many Sundays are included in the traditional Advent celebration?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

D. 4
TOPICS: The first Sunday may be as early as November 27th, and then Advent has twenty-eight days, or as late as December 3rd, giving the season only twenty-one days.

4. What shape is the Advent wreath?
A. Square
B. Triangle
C. Circle
D. Rectangle

C. Circle
TOPICS: The circle of the wreath reminds Christians of God, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end.

5. What colors are the candles in the Advent wreath?
A. Purple
B. Pink
C. White
D. Purple, pink and white

D. Purple, pink and white
TOPICS: Traditionally three of the candles are purple, the color of kings and of penance. A rose-colored candle is used to mark the Third Sunday of Advent as a time to rejoice over the closeness of Christmas and the coming of Christ. In the center of the circle is a fifth candle (traditionally white) which is lit on Christmas Day. Candles symbolise the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son, Jesus.

6. What color is the Advent wreath?
A. Gold
B. Silver
C. White
D. Green

D. Green
TOPICS: The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that Christians have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.

7. Why was purple chosen as an Advent candle color?
A. Represents the common people
B. Represents royalty
C. Represents peace
D. Represents war

B. Represents royalty
TOPICS: Purple dyes were once so rare and costly that they were associated with royalty; the Church has long used this color around Christmas and Easter to honor Jesus.

8. Two of the five Advent candles are different than the others. What does the rose or pink candle signify?
A. Joy
B. Birth
C. Angels
D. Prophecy

A. Joy
TOPICS: The third week of Advent is marked by the Shepherds' Candle or Joy Candle. The shepherds represent the message of great joy that is brought to the world about Jesus' birth.

9. Three of the Advent candles are the same color. Which is NOT represented by one of these candles?
A. Christ
B. Hope
C. Peace
D. Love

A. Christ
TOPICS: The three purple candles in the Advent wreath symbolise hope, peace, and love. These candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The first candle is called either the Hope Candle or the Prophecy Candle. The second candle is the Bethlehem Candle or Peace candle represents the preparations made for the coming Christ child. The fourth candle is the Angel Candle or Love Candle which represents the love which God shared with the world when He sent His Son, Jesus.

10. The candle in the center of the Advent wreath is called what?
A. The Star Candle
B. The Bethlehem Candle
C. The Stable Candle
D. The Christ Candle

D. The Christ Candle
TOPICS: In the centre of the circle is a fifth candle (traditionally white), the Christ Candle, which is lit on Christmas Day.