Readers’ Quiz: On the Seasons of Advent and Christmas
Oct 31, 2023

Readers’ Quiz: On the Seasons of Advent and Christmas

Another year, another Christmas. Or will it be different this year? Certainly, much has changed in the world since last Christmas. But to change ourselves for a more fruitful celebration of the birth of Christ, a fuller understanding of the seasons of Advent and Christmas can help. Test your knowledge of these privileged seasons as a way to enter into this most wonderful time of the year in 2023.

1. The principal reason that Christmas is celebrated on December 25 is:

 
 
 
 

2. Since Christmas is celebrated each year on December 25, when does Advent begin?

 
 
 
 

3. True or False: The Advent season is a kind of “mini-Lent.”

 
 

4. The Roman Missal, Lectionary for Mass, and Liturgy of the Hours provide texts for each weekday of Advent, all the way up to Friday of the Third Week of Advent—then they stop. Why are there no texts for Saturday of the Third Week of Advent?

 
 
 
 

5. True or False: Just as during the Lenten season, the playing of the organ and musical instruments is allowed only in order to support the singing.

 
 

6. According to the Book of Blessings, where should the Nativity Scene be placed?

 
 
 
 

7. What Holy Days of Obligation occur during the Advent and Christmas Seasons?

8. How many Mass settings (proper antiphons, readings, and orations) are there for the Solemnity of the Nativity?

 
 
 
 

9. At which liturgy during the Advent or Christmas seasons would one hear mention of “the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad”?

 
 
 
 

10. True or False: The Christmas season always ends on the Sunday following Epiphany, which is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

 
 

The Editors