- Adoremus

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

a. This date was determined by the Council of Nicaea in 325.

b. Jesus was born on December 25.

c. The early Church was trying to combat the pagan feast of Sol Invictus (“Unconquered Sun”) that fell on December 25.

d. Jesus died nine months earlier.

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

a. The Thursday after Thanksgiving in the United States.

b. The Sunday closest to the Feast of Andrew the Apostle.

c. Four weeks and four days prior to December 25.

d. It varies based upon the date of Easter and the weeks of Ordinary Time that follow Easter.

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

a. True

b. False

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?

a. Annibale Bugnini.

b. The weekdays of Advent give way to a more intense preparation for Christmas by this time, and it is then time to sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

c. Pius XII eliminated this day of Advent when he revised the Holy Week liturgies in 1955.

d. From the time of Pope Gregory the Great (r.590-604), Saturday of the Third Week of Advent was set aside to mark the winter ember day.

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.

a. True

b. False

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

a. In a place outside the sanctuary so that all the faithful can approach it easily and pray before it.

b. The Book of Blessings is silent on the placement of the Nativity Scene.

c. In front of the altar of sacrifice so that suitable attention may be drawn to the central mystery of the season.

d. Outside of the church building and located in the homes of the faithful.

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?

a. 1

b. 2

c. 3

d. 4

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

a. Fifth day of the Octave of Christmas.

b. Matins for the Feast of the Holy Family.

c. Mass for Epiphany.

d. Liturgy of the Hours on December 24.

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

a. True

b. False

Readers’ Quiz: On the Seasons of Advent and Christmas