Plaque at the birthplace of the author of “Silent Night” (CC via Flickr)
Friends,
One of the things the pandemic has taught us is how interconnected the world is and how much we ultimately rely on and need each other. So this issue’s quiz is about Advent around the world.
-H.C. Harold
PRINTABLE QUIZ
1) Songs
From what country did the carol “Silent Night” or “Stille Nacht” come?
- a) Germany
- b) Austria
- c) Belgium
- d) France
2) Saints
In some European countries, the start of the holiday season is sometimes still marked by the celebration of what saint’s feast day on Nov. 25?
- a) St. Nicholas
- b) St. Mary Magdalene
- c) St. Catherine of Alexandria
- d) St. Lucia
3) Decorations
In China, what is a way that some Christians decorate their houses to mark the Advent season?
- a) paper lanterns
- b) firecrackers
- c) elaborate sweet tables
- d) leaving a door open for evil spirits to leave a house
4) Prayers
In Hungary, some Catholics observe matins, which is what?
- a) morning sun salutations
- b) appointing one person to stay up all night at church
- c) prayers to St. Matthew the apostle
- d) dawn Masses between the first Sunday of Advent and Christmas
5) Advent house calls
In Puerto Rico, people go house to house during Advent as part of
parrandas? What’s that?
- a) a live nativity
- b) surprise Christmas caroling
- c) cookie distributions
- d) egg throwing
6) Calendar
In the Coptic Christian Church, Advent lasts from Nov. 25 until when, which marks Christmas Day on the church’s calendar?
- a) Dec. 26
- b) Jan. 1
- c) Jan. 7
- d) Jan. 9
7) Names
In what country is Christmas called Sekukkulu?
- a) Uganda
- b) Kenya
- c) South Africa
- d) Malawi
Answers: 1) b, 2) c, 3) a, 4) d, 5) b, 6) c, 7) a
