Advent Bible trivia, the four Sundays of waiting.
The four weeks before Christmas are the church's season of waiting — for the Messiah Israel waited for, and for the Messiah we wait to see return. Advent rounds gather the prophecies, the forerunner, the visitation, and the songs that frame the coming of Christ.
What Advent covers in the Bible
Advent is not about Christmas Day — it's about everything before it. The promises stretched across Genesis to Malachi (a coming offspring of the woman, a son of David, a Bethlehem-born ruler, a suffering servant), the prophet John clearing the way at the Jordan, Mary's quiet "let it be," Zechariah's restored speech, the songs Luke records in his first two chapters (the Magnificat, the Benedictus, the Nunc Dimittis). Four Sundays. Four candles. One long arc of expectation.
The four themes
Most Western traditions assign a theme to each Sunday — Hope (the patriarchs and prophets), Peace (Bethlehem and the forerunner), Joy (Mary and Elizabeth), and Love (the angel's word to Joseph) — with a fifth white "Christ candle" lit on Christmas Eve itself. Eastern Orthodox traditions instead observe a 40-day Nativity Fast with parallel themes.
Sample Advent trivia questions
How many candles does a traditional Western Advent wreath hold?
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."
Commentary
Four candles around the wreath — typically three purple (or blue) and one rose (lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete) — plus one white Christ candle in the center, lit on Christmas Eve. The four mark the four Sundays of waiting; the fifth marks the light arriving.
Choose an answer
How many candles does a traditional Western Advent wreath hold?
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."
Commentary
Four candles around the wreath — typically three purple (or blue) and one rose (lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete) — plus one white Christ candle in the center, lit on Christmas Eve. The four mark the four Sundays of waiting; the fifth marks the light arriving.
How many candles does a traditional Western Advent wreath hold?
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."
Commentary
Four candles around the wreath — typically three purple (or blue) and one rose (lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete) — plus one white Christ candle in the center, lit on Christmas Eve. The four mark the four Sundays of waiting; the fifth marks the light arriving.
How many candles does a traditional Western Advent wreath hold?
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."Isaiah 9:2
Four candles around the wreath — typically three purple (or blue) and one rose (lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete) — plus one white Christ candle in the center, lit on Christmas Eve. The four mark the four Sundays of waiting; the fifth marks the light arriving.
Which prophet foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem?
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel."
Commentary
Micah, an eighth-century contemporary of Isaiah, named a town so small it didn't merit its own banner among Judah's clans. Matthew 2:6 cites this prophecy when Herod's scribes locate the Messiah's birthplace for the Magi — seven centuries after Micah wrote.
Choose an answer
Which prophet foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem?
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel."
Commentary
Micah, an eighth-century contemporary of Isaiah, named a town so small it didn't merit its own banner among Judah's clans. Matthew 2:6 cites this prophecy when Herod's scribes locate the Messiah's birthplace for the Magi — seven centuries after Micah wrote.
Which prophet foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem?
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel."
Commentary
Micah, an eighth-century contemporary of Isaiah, named a town so small it didn't merit its own banner among Judah's clans. Matthew 2:6 cites this prophecy when Herod's scribes locate the Messiah's birthplace for the Magi — seven centuries after Micah wrote.
Which prophet foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem?
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel."Micah 5:2
Micah, an eighth-century contemporary of Isaiah, named a town so small it didn't merit its own banner among Judah's clans. Matthew 2:6 cites this prophecy when Herod's scribes locate the Messiah's birthplace for the Magi — seven centuries after Micah wrote.
In Luke 1, what does the angel Gabriel announce to Zechariah?
"He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah."
Commentary
The forerunner gets his birth announcement six months before the Messiah's. Zechariah doubts the angel and is struck mute until John is named — the silence breaking only when he confirms in writing, "His name is John." His first words after that are the Benedictus (Luke 1:68–79).
Choose an answer
In Luke 1, what does the angel Gabriel announce to Zechariah?
"He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah."
Commentary
The forerunner gets his birth announcement six months before the Messiah's. Zechariah doubts the angel and is struck mute until John is named — the silence breaking only when he confirms in writing, "His name is John." His first words after that are the Benedictus (Luke 1:68–79).
In Luke 1, what does the angel Gabriel announce to Zechariah?
"He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah."
Commentary
The forerunner gets his birth announcement six months before the Messiah's. Zechariah doubts the angel and is struck mute until John is named — the silence breaking only when he confirms in writing, "His name is John." His first words after that are the Benedictus (Luke 1:68–79).
In Luke 1, what does the angel Gabriel announce to Zechariah?
"He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah."Luke 1:16–17
The forerunner gets his birth announcement six months before the Messiah's. Zechariah doubts the angel and is struck mute until John is named — the silence breaking only when he confirms in writing, "His name is John." His first words after that are the Benedictus (Luke 1:68–79).
Mary's song in Luke 1 is traditionally called by which Latin name?
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Commentary
From the Latin opening — Magnificat anima mea Dominum. The song echoes Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2 with unmistakable precision: God scattering the proud, lifting the lowly, filling the hungry, sending the rich away empty. The Magnificat has been sung at evening prayer in the church almost continuously since the fourth century.
Choose an answer
Mary's song in Luke 1 is traditionally called by which Latin name?
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Commentary
From the Latin opening — Magnificat anima mea Dominum. The song echoes Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2 with unmistakable precision: God scattering the proud, lifting the lowly, filling the hungry, sending the rich away empty. The Magnificat has been sung at evening prayer in the church almost continuously since the fourth century.
Mary's song in Luke 1 is traditionally called by which Latin name?
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Commentary
From the Latin opening — Magnificat anima mea Dominum. The song echoes Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2 with unmistakable precision: God scattering the proud, lifting the lowly, filling the hungry, sending the rich away empty. The Magnificat has been sung at evening prayer in the church almost continuously since the fourth century.
Mary's song in Luke 1 is traditionally called by which Latin name?
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."Luke 1:46–47
From the Latin opening — Magnificat anima mea Dominum. The song echoes Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2 with unmistakable precision: God scattering the proud, lifting the lowly, filling the hungry, sending the rich away empty. The Magnificat has been sung at evening prayer in the church almost continuously since the fourth century.
In Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, the line is traced through which of David's sons?
"And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah."
Commentary
Matthew traces the royal line through Solomon — the heir who built the temple — landing Jesus in David's covenant inheritance (2 Samuel 7). Luke's genealogy in Luke 3 traces a different line, through David's son Nathan, which most scholars take to be Mary's line rather than Joseph's. Both end at Jesus.
Choose an answer
In Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, the line is traced through which of David's sons?
"And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah."
Commentary
Matthew traces the royal line through Solomon — the heir who built the temple — landing Jesus in David's covenant inheritance (2 Samuel 7). Luke's genealogy in Luke 3 traces a different line, through David's son Nathan, which most scholars take to be Mary's line rather than Joseph's. Both end at Jesus.
In Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, the line is traced through which of David's sons?
"And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah."
Commentary
Matthew traces the royal line through Solomon — the heir who built the temple — landing Jesus in David's covenant inheritance (2 Samuel 7). Luke's genealogy in Luke 3 traces a different line, through David's son Nathan, which most scholars take to be Mary's line rather than Joseph's. Both end at Jesus.
In Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, the line is traced through which of David's sons?
"And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah."Matthew 1:6
Matthew traces the royal line through Solomon — the heir who built the temple — landing Jesus in David's covenant inheritance (2 Samuel 7). Luke's genealogy in Luke 3 traces a different line, through David's son Nathan, which most scholars take to be Mary's line rather than Joseph's. Both end at Jesus.
Which Old Testament book contains the prophecy of "a virgin shall conceive and bear a son" cited in Matthew 1:23?
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Commentary
Isaiah delivered this oracle to King Ahaz of Judah, around 735 BC, with an immediate political fulfillment in view (a child born in Ahaz's day would be a sign before the threatening alliance was broken). Matthew sees a deeper fulfillment — the same Hebrew word almah covering both — when Joseph receives the angel's instruction in a dream.
Choose an answer
Which Old Testament book contains the prophecy of "a virgin shall conceive and bear a son" cited in Matthew 1:23?
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Commentary
Isaiah delivered this oracle to King Ahaz of Judah, around 735 BC, with an immediate political fulfillment in view (a child born in Ahaz's day would be a sign before the threatening alliance was broken). Matthew sees a deeper fulfillment — the same Hebrew word almah covering both — when Joseph receives the angel's instruction in a dream.
Which Old Testament book contains the prophecy of "a virgin shall conceive and bear a son" cited in Matthew 1:23?
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Commentary
Isaiah delivered this oracle to King Ahaz of Judah, around 735 BC, with an immediate political fulfillment in view (a child born in Ahaz's day would be a sign before the threatening alliance was broken). Matthew sees a deeper fulfillment — the same Hebrew word almah covering both — when Joseph receives the angel's instruction in a dream.
Which Old Testament book contains the prophecy of "a virgin shall conceive and bear a son" cited in Matthew 1:23?
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah delivered this oracle to King Ahaz of Judah, around 735 BC, with an immediate political fulfillment in view (a child born in Ahaz's day would be a sign before the threatening alliance was broken). Matthew sees a deeper fulfillment — the same Hebrew word almah covering both — when Joseph receives the angel's instruction in a dream.
In John the Baptist's preaching, what citation from Isaiah 40 frames his ministry?
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
Commentary
All four Gospels open John's ministry by quoting Isaiah 40. The phrasing comes from a passage written to exiles in Babylon promising a coming homecoming — Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John all read it as a coming Messianic homecoming, with John the Baptist as the herald who clears the road.
Choose an answer
In John the Baptist's preaching, what citation from Isaiah 40 frames his ministry?
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
Commentary
All four Gospels open John's ministry by quoting Isaiah 40. The phrasing comes from a passage written to exiles in Babylon promising a coming homecoming — Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John all read it as a coming Messianic homecoming, with John the Baptist as the herald who clears the road.
In John the Baptist's preaching, what citation from Isaiah 40 frames his ministry?
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
Commentary
All four Gospels open John's ministry by quoting Isaiah 40. The phrasing comes from a passage written to exiles in Babylon promising a coming homecoming — Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John all read it as a coming Messianic homecoming, with John the Baptist as the herald who clears the road.
In John the Baptist's preaching, what citation from Isaiah 40 frames his ministry?
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"Mark 1:3 (citing Isaiah 40:3)
All four Gospels open John's ministry by quoting Isaiah 40. The phrasing comes from a passage written to exiles in Babylon promising a coming homecoming — Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John all read it as a coming Messianic homecoming, with John the Baptist as the herald who clears the road.
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. What does gaudete mean?
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."
Commentary
The Latin gaudete is the imperative plural of "rejoice" — taken from the historic introit (entrance verse) for the third Sunday, drawn from Philippians 4. The rose-pink candle and rose vestments mark a midpoint of lightening in the otherwise penitential purple of Advent. Lent has the same kind of midpoint — Laetare Sunday.
Choose an answer
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. What does gaudete mean?
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."
Commentary
The Latin gaudete is the imperative plural of "rejoice" — taken from the historic introit (entrance verse) for the third Sunday, drawn from Philippians 4. The rose-pink candle and rose vestments mark a midpoint of lightening in the otherwise penitential purple of Advent. Lent has the same kind of midpoint — Laetare Sunday.
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. What does gaudete mean?
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."
Commentary
The Latin gaudete is the imperative plural of "rejoice" — taken from the historic introit (entrance verse) for the third Sunday, drawn from Philippians 4. The rose-pink candle and rose vestments mark a midpoint of lightening in the otherwise penitential purple of Advent. Lent has the same kind of midpoint — Laetare Sunday.
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. What does gaudete mean?
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."Philippians 4:4
The Latin gaudete is the imperative plural of "rejoice" — taken from the historic introit (entrance verse) for the third Sunday, drawn from Philippians 4. The rose-pink candle and rose vestments mark a midpoint of lightening in the otherwise penitential purple of Advent. Lent has the same kind of midpoint — Laetare Sunday.
Simeon's song in Luke 2 — recited at evening prayer in many traditions — is called by which Latin name?
"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation."
Commentary
From the Latin opening — Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine. Simeon, promised he would not die before seeing the Christ, finally cradles the eight-day-old Jesus in the temple courts and releases his hope into peace. The Nunc Dimittis has been the church's nightly evening prayer for sixteen centuries.
Choose an answer
Simeon's song in Luke 2 — recited at evening prayer in many traditions — is called by which Latin name?
"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation."
Commentary
From the Latin opening — Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine. Simeon, promised he would not die before seeing the Christ, finally cradles the eight-day-old Jesus in the temple courts and releases his hope into peace. The Nunc Dimittis has been the church's nightly evening prayer for sixteen centuries.
Simeon's song in Luke 2 — recited at evening prayer in many traditions — is called by which Latin name?
"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation."
Commentary
From the Latin opening — Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine. Simeon, promised he would not die before seeing the Christ, finally cradles the eight-day-old Jesus in the temple courts and releases his hope into peace. The Nunc Dimittis has been the church's nightly evening prayer for sixteen centuries.
Simeon's song in Luke 2 — recited at evening prayer in many traditions — is called by which Latin name?
"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation."Luke 2:29–30
From the Latin opening — Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine. Simeon, promised he would not die before seeing the Christ, finally cradles the eight-day-old Jesus in the temple courts and releases his hope into peace. The Nunc Dimittis has been the church's nightly evening prayer for sixteen centuries.
Categories that pair well with Advent
For your Advent table
Try the Custom mode during Advent — type "Isaiah 7–11" or "Luke 1–2" or "Old Testament Messianic prophecies" and you'll get a round shaped around exactly that. A short round before dinner each Sunday of Advent is one of the gentlest ways to walk the four weeks together as a household.
Wait, with Scripture.
Free for seven days. No credit card required to start.
Start your free trial →Available on iPhone & iPad. Subscription is $3.99/month or $29.99/year.