Deeper Truth

Deepertruth: Christmas Special The History of Christmas Caroling

Christmas Special The History of Christmas Caroling
Christmas carols in English first appeared in a 1426 work of John Awdlay, a Shropshire chaplain, who lists twenty five 'caroles of Cristemas', probably sung by groups of 'wassailers', who went from house to house.
 
In 129, Pope Telephorus said that a song called "Angel's Hymn" should be sung at a Midnight Mass in Rome.
 
Another famous early Christmas Hymn was written in 760, by Comas of Jerusalem, for the Catholic Church. Soon after this many composers all over Europe started to write 'Christmas carols'. However, not many people liked them as they were all written and sung in Latin, a language that the normal people couldn't understand.
This was changed by St. Francis of Assisi when, in 1223, he started his Nativity Plays in Italy.
 
The people in the plays sang songs or 'canticles' that told the story during the plays. Sometimes, the choruses of these new carols were in Latin; but normally they were all in a language that the people watching the play could understand and join in! The new carols spread to France, Spain, Germany and other European countries.
The earliest carol, like this, was written in 1410.

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Blessed Adolph Kolping

Stand In The Gap With Us And Blessed Adolph Kolping 12/10/2023
(8 December 1813 — 4 December 1865) Blessed Adolph Kolping was a GermanCatholicpriest and the founder of the Kolping Association. He led the movement for providing and promoting social support for workers in industrialized cities while also working to promote the dignities of workers in accordance with the social magisterium of the faith.
Adolph Kolping was a priest and before all a social reformer. With the foundation of workers' unions, he laid the foundation for the Kolping Society, today present and active in about 60 countries. The Kolping families are the local unions of this Catholic network - in South Tyrol there are about 16 of them.
The rise of the factory system in 19th-century Germany brought many single men into cities where they faced new challenges to their faith. Father Adolph Kolping began a ministry to them, hoping that they would not be lost to the Catholic faith, as was happening to workers elsewhere in industrialized Europe.
"The first thing that a person finds in life and the last to which he holds out his hand, and the most precious that he possess, even if he does not realize it, is family life."

Deepertruth: Christmas Special Midnight Mass of Christmas

Christmas Special  Midnight Mass
Before Midnight Mass begins, there is a special proclamation that dramatically sets the stage for Jesus' birth.
In the Catholic Church, Mid-night Mass begins with a special proclamation The proclamation summarizes salvation history by placing Jesus’ birth in the context of various historical events.
The proclamation begins with the creation of the world and then gradually goes through many biblical events before it explains the Roman world into which Jesus was born.
The text for his proclamation is from the Roman Martyrology, which is the Roman Rite’s official catalogue of liturgical dates and celebrations. The Church has used a martyrology since at least the 4th century and it has expanded every year to include new saints and feasts.
Here is the latest English translation of the proclamation, which can be used as a beautiful Christmas meditation, reflecting on the reality of Christ’s birth and where it was situated in the history of the world.
The Twenty-fifth Day of December,when ages beyond number had run their coursefrom the creation of the world,when God in the beginning created heaven and earth,and formed man in his own likeness;when century upon century had passedsince the Almighty set his bow in the clouds after the Great Flood,as a sign of covenant and peace;in the twenty-first century since Abraham, our father in faith,came out of Ur of the Chaldees;in the thirteenth century since the People of Israel were led by Mosesin the Exodus from Egypt;around the thousandth year since David was anointed King;in the sixty-fifth week of the prophecy of Daniel;in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;in the year seven hundred and fifty-twosince the foundation of the City of Rome;in the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus,the whole world being at peace,
 
 
 
 

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Juan Diego

Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Juan Diego 12/88/2023
Saint Juan Diego was born in 1474 as Cuauhtlatoatzin, a native to Mexico. He became the first Roman Catholic indigenous saint from the Americas.
Thousands of people gathered in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe July 31, 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared in the 16th century.
Pope John Paul II celebrated the ceremony at which the poor Indian peasant became the Church’s first saint indigenous to the Americas.
The Holy Father called the new saint “a simple, humble Indian” who accepted Christianity without giving up his identity as an Indian.
“In praising the Indian Juan Diego, I want to express to all of you the closeness of the Church and the pope, embracing you with love and encouraging you to overcome with hope the difficult times you are going through,” John Paul said.

Deepertruth Christmas Special The Twelve Days of Christmas Code revealed

Christmas Special The Twelve Days of Christmas Code revealed
The Church Calendar has been a work in progress since the very beginning of the Church. From the early Christians following Our Lord's footsteps down the The Via Dolorosa (Latin for Way of Grief or Way of Suffering) to the birthday of the Lord.
As we move closer to Christmas, this year is a great reminder of the personal sacrifice I made during the Christmas Season.
There was a point in time when Three out of four Christmas seasons I was deployed in Iraq. It's tough being deployed away from home for a year or more, but it becomes very difficult especially during the major holidays.
The Catholic Church instituted the 12 Days of Christmas in 567 through the Council of Tours.
We do well to try and keep alive our traditions among us in a foreign land. I would use the song, "The 12 Days of Christmas" to inspire interest in the Season. For most Americans, Christmas is over after Christmas day.
We have lost the understanding of the season of Christmas for the most part. I found this out simply through the song, "The 12 Days of Christmas".
In fact, most thought that the 12 days of Christmas began before Christmas, that Christmas day ended the season.
The actual 12th day is January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany (the manifestation) with the Wise Men finding the Christ Child after about an 18 month journey following a star.
On December 23, 2006 from Iraq, I wrote on Defenders of the Catholic Faith (DCF):
Today, I was able to sing Christmas carols with Philippine women who work in our laundry department. It was kind of cool. These people are here to make money to send home. It is to such as these that Father began to go to for Holy Communion. These people have a strong faith and love the Church.
 

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us as We Honor The Immaculate Conception

Stand In The Gap With Us as We Honor The Immaculate Conception 12/8/2023
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother; to thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Pray the rosary daily for protection and to defeat the forces of Satan.
This battle between the Woman (The Virgin Mary) can be found in the twelfth chapter of Revelation. Verse 17 tells it all:
"Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea."
 
 
 

Deepertruth: Christmas Special Part 6 Roots Of The Anti-Christmas Agenda

Christmas Special Part 6 Roots Of The Anti-Christmas Agenda
“O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.” I love this song as one of my favorite Advent songs. It is great also to meditate before the Eucharist in Adoration.
The Son of God appeared physically on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2 B.C. as a little baby. The Son of God appears physically at each and every Mass, rejoice at Mass. The Son of God will appear a second and final time for all time bringing the fulfilled promise to liberate His people.
The tide against Christmas today is coming basically in opposition to the Catholic Church. And the opposition is coming from several different directions. Secularists and Atheists are coming from one direction while a number of fundamental Protestant groups continue their attacks of Christmas.
Because of the threat of political correctness and the Secularization of our Country, various businesses have voluntarily tried to reduce Christmas to a secular holiday. Bill O’Reily of Fox News, has done much to defend Christmas and as a result, businesses like Wal-Mart reversed their policy and allowed Christmas to be recognized and celebrated. This is why people should let local business know how you feel! I am told they do not want to offend people of other religions, but yet, they have no problem offending the sensibilities of 80% plus of the public who do love the season of Christmas. That makes no sense.
 
 
 

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Ambrose

Stand In The Gap With Us And Saint Ambrose 12/7/2023
St. Ambrose was born around 340 AD to a Roman Christian family. He grew up with his siblings, Satyrus and Marcellina, in Trier, Belgic Gaul (present-day Germany).
It is believed by many that when Ambrose was just an infant, a swarm of bees landed on his face and left behind a drop of honey.
To his father, this was a sign that Ambrose would become someone great with a wonderful sense for speaking.
He emerges as the man of action who cut a furrow through the lives of his contemporaries.
Even royal personages were numbered among those who were to suffer crushing divine punishments for standing in Ambrose’s way.
Ambrose was known for his Nicene beliefs, but Arians also favored him because he had previously shown charity in theological matters. However, being neither baptized or trained in theology, Ambrose refused to become the next bishop.
He ran and attempted to hide, but his colleague gave him up. Within a week's time, Ambrose was baptized, ordained and duly consecrated bishop of Milan on December 7, 374.
Ambrose remained Governor until 374 when he became the Bishop of Milan. After the former Bishop of Milan died, Ambrose attended the election to prevent any uproars between the Nicene Church and the Arians. While giving an address, the assembly began calling for him to become the next bishop.
After meeting Ambrose, Augustine reevaluated himself and was forever changed. In 387, Ambrose baptized Augustine, who he had a great influence on. St. Monica, Augustine's mother, loved Ambrose "as an angel of God who uprooted her son from his former ways and led him to his convictions of Christ."
When the Empress Justina attempted to wrest two basilicas from Ambrose’s Catholics and give them to the Arians, he dared the eunuchs of the court to execute him.
 

Deepertruth: Christmas Special Part 5 Was December 25 to coincide Pagan Feast

Christmas Special Part  5 Was December 25 to coincide Pagan Feast  
John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life".
When I look at well known figures in history, there are a lot of them well known who lived before the birth of Christ.
People accept history and records their date of births like Pluto (428-348 B.C.), Socrates (471-399 B.C.), and Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.) as examples, but when it comes to Jesus Christ, the most important name in history that split time from B.C. to A.D., some people just can't accept Jesus Birthday.
The Gospel writings do not give a clear date within it's pages, but what about the Tradition of the Church, that history handed down, can we be sure of Christ's birth?
Does it really matter? To be honest, many people would not care that much about it one way or the other.
But for Deepertruth, we believe that Jesus as a historical figure is every bit as important as Pluto, Socrates, and Caesar, actually, Jesus is infinitely far more important.
Jesus Christ was born December 25, 2 B.C. and he died April 3, 33 A.D., we will show though the next few weeks during Advent showing from Scripture, history, tradition, and science that this is true.

Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And St. Nicholas

Stand In The Gap With Us And St. Nicholas 12/6/2023
St. Nicholas was born in the 3rd century (250) near Patara which is today along the Southern Coast of modern day Turkey.
St. Nicholas was born to very wealthy parents
(Epiphanus and Johanna) who brought him up in the Catholic Faith.
St. Nicholas developed a strong love for Christ from a young age.
Due to a local epidemic, St. Nicholas lost both his parents leaving him with an Uncle, Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra.
St. Nicholas would take the name of his Uncle. He learned to read the Scriptures, to serve at Mass, would become a Presbyter.
Soon, he became known for his charity among the poor and needy, the sick and the suffering. He would secretly give gifts to children, he would put coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him.
Legends tell of him saving a woodcutters Daughters from slavery and did many more acts of kindness.As a young man, he became the Bishop of Myra continuing his act of love for God’s people.
St. Nicholas would fall prey in the persecution of the Roman Emperor Diocletian who’s Edict savagely persecuted the Church.
Many Religious were placed in prisons, were killed by the local magistrates.
When Constantine became the Emperor, he freed the Christians and St. Nicholas was released back into society with his faith intact.
Historically, St. Nicholas participated at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. and helped draft the present day “Nicean Creed” that we profess at Mass.
It is debated that St. Nicholas slapped the heretic Arius because of the heresy he was preaching at the Council.
Reportedly, the Bishops at the great Council were not happy with what St. Nicholas did and placed him in jail.
That night Jesus and Mary appeared to St. Nicholas giving him the Gospels and the bishops tunic.