Advent
What color(s) are the first two Advent candles?
Purple
5–8-year-olds ONLY: Where was Jesus born?
Bethlehem
What evergreen circle with candles is used during Advent?
The Advent wreath.
“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed the little Lord Jesus..."
"...laid down His sweet head.”
5–8-year-old ONLY: What colors can you see in the Northern Lights?
green, red, blue/purple/pink
Anyone: BONUS (+50 points): Which element causes green and red? And which element causes blue/purple/pink?
What word means “coming” and refers to Jesus arriving in history, mystery, and majesty?
Advent (Adventus)
What were the gifts brought by the Magi?
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh
What do the four candles represent?
The four weeks of Advent.
5–8-year-old ONLY: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth..."
"...receive her King."
What does “Aurora” mean?
Dawn (Light)
What is the special Sunday with the pink candle called?
Gaudete Sunday
BONUS (+50 point): Do you know what Gaudete means?
Who ordered the census that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem?
Caesar Augustus
5–8-year-olds ONLY: What is the symbolism of the evergreen circle shape?
God’s eternal, unending love
“O come, O come, Emmanuel…”
"...And ransom captive Israel."
The Northern Lights occur when particles from the sun hit what part of Earth?
The atmosphere / magnetosphere.
5–8-year-olds ONLY: Name one thing families can do to prepare their hearts for Jesus during Advent.
Prayer, acts of kindness, going to Mass, lighting the wreath, etc.
Which Gospel contains the story of the shepherds, angels, and manger?
The Gospel of Luke.
BONUS (+50 points): What is another gospel writer?
Which saint began the first live nativity scene?
St. Francis of Assisi
“Silent night, holy night…”
"...all is calm, all is bright."
What are the Northern Lights called in the Southern Hemisphere?
Aurora Australis
In the Liturgy of the Hours, what ancient prayers are sung Dec. 17–23 and begin with “O…”?
O Antiphons
According to the Gospel sequence, what is the order of the visitors/events: angels appear to shepherds, Magi arrive, Presentation in the Temple?
Angels to shepherds → Presentation in the Temple → Magi arrive.
(Magi do not arrive the night of the birth; they come later.)
Why do Catholics celebrate Christmas for more than just one day?
It’s an entire liturgical season
BONUS (+50 points): What important day does it land on, marking the end of the Christmas season?
“Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when..."
"...Christ was born."
Name one saint that is the patron of scientists or astronomers.
St. Albert the Great or St. Dominic or St. Joseph.