Altars at Christmas: A Quiz

'Tis the season...Advent. And that means everyone's preparing for Christmas. Doubtless, there will be liturgical directors and decorators who do not follow the guidelines for Advent - the moderation of floral decorations, for example, and the reduced use of the organ (Ha! if only more parishes here actually had one!) and other musical instruments. God only knows what they'll do at Christmas!

However, since Advent has just begun, that gives us several weeks to push for appropriate Christmas altar-vesting. To help you, here's a little quiz on Christmas altars (see the previous post on "Vesting the Altar" if you need extra hints). 

If you see something that resembles your parish's altar in the examples of  "wrong" I've provided below, maybe you'll make a few suggestions to your pastor...? I know it's a dangerous job, but somebody's gotta do it!

What’s wrong with this picture?

a)     The altar is being used as a mere backdrop for the nativity scene

b)     What altar?

c)      A priest would not be able to say the EF Mass at this altar.

d)     All of the above.

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What’s wrong with this picture?

a)     The altar is being used as a mere backdrop for the nativity scene

b)     What altar?

c)      A priest would not be able to say the EF Mass at this altar.

d)     All of the above.

**************

What’s wrong with this picture?

 Oh dear. Add choice e) EVERYTHING!

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What’s wrong with this picture?

See choices above, but the answer is:

Nothing! 

Same for this one: