All posts filed under: z210

Video: The Lamentations of Jeremiah

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An orchestra in Munich, Germany has just released this video on Jeremiah’s prayers from the book of Lamentations on Babylon’s sacking of Jerusalem and destruction of the Jewish Temple in 586 BC. The video was produced during the pandemic. Aleteia, a Catholic news site, explains: A German orchestra has released most incredible work of sacred music to be recorded since the world pandemic began. Titled Oratio, the work draws on the texts of the biblical Book of Lamentations, which when put to music is usually called “The Lamentations of Jeremiah.”  This is a brand new composition from contemporary German composer Mathias Rehfeldt. A composer of sacred music and film scores, Rehfeldt beautifully captures the emotion behind the text, which is a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The work features a full orchestra and chorus performing at Munich’s jaw-dropping Theatine Church, conducted by Father Robert Mehlhart OP. READ: ‘Oratio’ is the greatest sacred music recording of 2020 Lamentations 1:1-4: How deserted lies the city,    once so full of people!How like …

Seven modern misconceptions about the original Christmas story

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When we listen to Christmas carols and read our Christmas cards, we sometimes get the wrong impression about what really took place on the day Jesus was born. The following are seven modern misconceptions about the events surrounding the birth of Christ. None of these take away from the miracle that took place that day. 1. Jesus was not born on December 25th Look there is nothing wrong with celebrating the birth of Christ on December 25. As we read the Biblical account, the Lord’s birth was obviously a significant event and was very much celebrated. But it did not take place on December 25th. The fact that shepherds were in their fields when Jesus was born, suggests that Christ was probably born during spring lambing. So how did we end up with Dec. 25? Well, that was the result of the compounding of an earlier mistake. One of the first festivals initiated by the Roman Catholic Church was the Assumption of Mary, that celebrated her conception by the Holy Spirit. They set that date …

Canadian Army ordered to salute a tyrant?

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It is embarrassing to be Canadian these days. Not only did the Canadian military train China’s Peoples Liberation Army 17 times in the art of cold weather fighting, but at last year’s Military World Games held in China, Canadian soldiers were ordered to salute Xi Jinping, China’s ruling tyrant. None of the other democratic countries, such as France and the US, saluted the despot, only Canada and North Korea. Rebel News explains: Resurfaced Chinese state propaganda videos from last year’s Military World Games in Wuhan, China proudly show the Canadian Armed Forces doing something that will make you sick — brace yourselves. The Canadian contingent at the games, representing Canada and its military, were ordered by superiors to salute the Communist dictator of China, Xi Jinping, as they marched past him. This broke with Canada’s traditional allies, including the United States, France and other NATO nations. Canada’s allies refused to salute the dais where Xi sat observing the pageantry of the official opening of the 7th CISM Military World Games. The United States, Germany, South …

Did Balaam prophesy about the Star of Bethlehem?

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Balaam was an interesting Old Testament character. He was some type of diviner, perhaps soothsayer or sorcerer, whom King Balak of Moab hired to curse Israel before an upcoming battle. During the several prophecies that Balaam delivered, there was one that many believe referred to the star that showed up announcing Christ’s birth. Now obviously Balaam had a reputation as a seer, for Balak to be willing to purchase his services. And Balaam’s international fame was confirmed by Dutch archaeologists who found a text written about Balaam on a plastered wall dated to around 1200 BC in the ancient town of Deir Alla located in Jordan. The text was actually written by the Canaanites and spoke Balaam, son of Beor three times in the first four lines, exactly as the Bible describes him (Numbers 22:5). In this inscription, Balaam is referred to as a seer of the gods indicating he was well known and revered among the gentiles. The text also provides several of Balaam’s curses that suggests this was his specialty and apparently, these …

Have a Glutton Free Christmas

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What if Christmas wasn’t just an excuse for gluttony? In Canada and the United States, we celebrate through over-indulgence. Anniversaries, weddings, holidays, and birthdays are celebrated with cakes, suppers, alcohol, gifts, and parties. I love to celebrate so this is not an attack on celebrations. But I wonder what it would be like if we celebrated differently. What if instead of feasting and self-absorption we lowered our party expectations and dimmed the noise just enough to hear and see something different this Christmas? This year, many of us are forced to celebrate at a different pace than in previous years. There are few office or work parties. Personally, we are not allowed to have our wonderfully large North Central Lighthouse Christmas lunch and giveaway this year. Things are very different. For many, this is depressing and has dampened their Christmas spirit. I understand this. I miss our Lighthouse Christmas gathering and the Christmas teas and other events of the season. But they are not the cake of Christmas. They are just the icing on the …