All About Advent
Advent lasts for this many weeks in the Church calendar.
What is four?
This hymn features the repeated “Gloria in excelsis Deo” and tells of angels announcing Jesus’ birth to shepherds.
What is Angels We Have Heard on High?
Based on the classic Charles Dickens story, this movie features Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve.
What is A Christmas Carol?
This saint's feast day is celebrated on December 6th and is famous for bringing gifts to children and leaving gold coins in shoes.
Who is St. Nicholas?
This evergreen, often decorated with lights and ornaments, became a central symbol of Christmas in 16th-century Germany.
What is a Christmas Tree?
This circular decoration, often made of evergreen, holds four candles, one for each week of Advent, and reminds us of God’s never-ending love.
What is the Advent wreath?
It’s tiiiiime! From the first note, this 1994 Mariah Carey hit signals the start of the holiday season on radio, TV, and streaming playlists.
What is All I Want for Christmas is You?
Tom Hanks voiced multiple characters, including the train conductor, in this 2004 animated Christmas adventure.
What is the Polar Express?
Known as the quiet protector of the Holy Family, this saint traveled with Mary to Bethlehem, cared for the newborn Jesus, and followed God’s guidance in dreams.
Who is St. Joseph?
Singing these songs door-to-door or in church is a common Christmas tradition around the world.
What are Christmas carols?
These four spiritual themes are represented by the candles on the Advent wreath, helping us prepare our hearts each week for Christ’s coming.
What are hope, peace, joy and love?
This classic Christmas song was the first song to ever be played in outer space.
What is Jingle Bells?
In It’s a Wonderful Life, this angel shows George Bailey what life in Bedford Falls would have been like if he had never been born.
Who is Clarence?
Celebrated on December 13th, this saint of “light” is honored when children dress in white and wear a wreath of candles, bringing sweet buns to their families - remembering how she carried food to Christians hiding in the dark.
Who is St. Lucy?
Traditionally displayed in homes and churches, these figures depict the infant Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and sometimes the Magi.
What is a Nativity Scene?
This is the name for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, where the liturgical color changes from purple to rose and we embrace the joy in waiting for the coming Messiah.
What is Gaudete Sunday?
This 1942 Christmas song, famously recorded by Bing Crosby, is the best-selling single of all time, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide.
What is White Christmas?
In this movie, Tim Allen's character discovers that being Santa comes with strange perks -and side effects- like a rapidly growing white beard and the inability to fit into regular clothes.
What is The Santa Clause?
His feast is September 28th, but he stars in a Christmas song about helping a poor man on the Feast of Stephen.
Who is St. Wenceslaus?
On Christmas Eve in Poland (and in Polish families in the US), families break and share these thin, wafers while exchanging wishes for health and happiness.
What is oplatki?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “Adventus,” meaning this.
What is "coming"?
“Silent Night” was originally written in this language in 1818.
What is German? (Stille Nacht)
Famous for their holiday 'Clay-mation' specials, this duo brought us many beloved Christmas movies such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.
Who are Rankin & Bass?
Remembered on December 28th, this group of children lost their lives when Herod tried to kill the newborn Jesus, becoming some of the Church’s earliest martyrs.
Who are the Holy Innocents?
Though it premiered in Russia in 1892, this ballet didn’t become a widespread American Christmas tradition until the mid-20th century, popularized by companies like the San Francisco Ballet and New York City Ballet.
What is The Nutcracker?