Advent Trivia Quiz

Answer: The resurrection of Jesus

The term "advent" comes from the Latin "adventus", which means coming or arrival. In liturgical Christianity, it is a season of anticipation as Christians await three types of comings or arrivals: the physical birth of Christ (i.e. the Nativity), the believer's reception of Christ into his or her heart, and the second coming of Christ. Lent is the season that anticipates the Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus.

Answer: Sunday

In Catholicism and many Protestant liturgical traditions (such as the Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches), Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. In 2019, this was December 1, but it sometimes falls as early as November 27 or as late as December 3.

Answer: three

According to Teddy Colbert in his book "The Living Wreath", the tradition of the advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th century. However, it is now a practice in several western liturgical churches, including the Anglican. Traditionally, the advent wreath consists of four candles, one for each Sunday in Advent. Three of the candles are purple, and one is rose colored. Sometimes an optional fifth, white candle is included in the center of the wreath; this is known as the "Christ Candle" and is lit on either Christmas Eve or Christmas day.

Answer: Joy

The first two purple candles symbolize hope and faith. The pink (rose) candle represents joy. The fourth, purple candle represents peace. The pink (rose) candle is known as the "Shepherd's Candle" in some traditions.

Answer: true

In the liturgical church calendar, the first Sunday in Advent marks the beginning of the Christian new year. The Advent season is followed by the Christmas season (or Christmastide), Ordinary Time (or the time after Epiphany), Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time (or the time after Pentecost).

Answer: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

"We Three Kings" is an Epiphany hymn. Epiphany, which occurs on January 6, is a celebration of the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles and commemorates the magi visiting Jesus and bestowing gifts upon him. "The Old Rugged Cross," which is about the Crucifixion, would be more appropriate for Lent or Easter. "Breathe Upon Us, Holy Spirit" would be more appropriate for Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus.

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel," however, anticipates the coming of Christ and is a popular hymn to sing in the Advent season:

"O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."

Answer: Christmas Eve

Although the start date of Advent varies from year to year (depending on which day is the fourth Sunday before Christmas), Advent always ends on Christmas Eve. The Christmas season begins on December 25, and the twelve days of Christmas last until Epiphany on January 6.

Answer: purple and blue

Purple is the color most often associated with Advent in liturgical churches because it represents repentance, and Advent is a time of repentance in preparation for the coming of Christ. You might find the color draping the tabernacle, hanging around the church, or in the vestments of the clergy during Advent. Blue, which represents hope, is an alternate color used in some liturgical churches, and it is listed as the preferred color for Advent in the Lutheran Book of Worship.

Answer: false

While fasting was once a part of Advent traditions in the western Church, most liturgical western churches no longer practice fasting during Advent, though many still emphasize penitence during the season. However, the Eastern Orthodox church still maintains the tradition of fasting for forty days before Christmas.

Answer: Isaiah

The eleventh chapter of Isaiah is considered by Christians to foreshadow the Messiah, and verses from it are often read during the Advent season, particularly these:

"A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD [. . . ] The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:1-6).