Old time Christmas Traditions – The Advent Wreath

Posted on 08. Dec, 2009 by KG in Seasonal

Where do Christmas Traditions Come From?

Original Style Advent Wreath

CIDANEWS.com –You may have seen it around, maybe you grew up with one in your home each Christmas, or maybe this is entirely new to you: the Advent wreath. But where did its tradition come from, the wreath made from evergreens and decorated with candles? “The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church.” [Wikipedia]

Before we move on to its story, let’s look at its components: A wreath, a ring, a symbol of the everlasting God. Evergreens, a hope for the future, hope against hope, not just in Christian tradition. Candles, a symbol of Light, and more specifically the “Light of the World”. Advent, a Latin word literally translated “the coming” or the time of “arrival”, a time of preparation for the coming of the Saviour. Catholic church tradition adds it own symbolism to the color of the candles, and some will add a fifth candle.

But lets look at the story of how this wreath first came to be. A somewhat whimsical story, not overladen with symbols at all, as one might think. A practical story of life and love, and maybe some laughter along the way.

Today’s wreaths no longer have the little candles. More often than not real evergreen and real candles have been replaced by their more artificial counterparts. Be that as it may – whether you need more hope, or more light in your life, the promise of eternal faithfulness, or just simply want to share the joy of making a wreath with your children – the advent wreath is a Christmas tradition worth preserving and enjoying.

What traditions do you enjoy each year? Have you and your family created your own traditions and do you know why you do some of the things you do at Christmas time?

Over the next couple of weeks CIDANews.com will be looking into why we have Christmas trees, where did the candy cane come from, the oldest stories of Santa Claus and even the story of “Night before Christmas”.

We would also like to share some of your holiday traditions. If you have a family Christmas tradition that you do every year – perhaps you cut the legs off the Christmas goose and cook them alongside the rest of the bird in the oven, or maybe you open Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. What ever it is – share with us what makes Christmas special for you and we will try to post it during the next couple of weeks.

Write to us at articles@cidanews.com – entitle your article “Christmas Tradition at Our House” and tell us your story. Thank you!

Christmas Trees in Oklahoma City

Posted on 02. Dec, 2009 by Goode Fellow in Local, Seasonal

Living Tree & Cut Your-Own Oklahoma Tree Farms

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Are you the type of person who gets their Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving every year or do you wait until the last minute and hope that the price of live Christmas trees goes on sale the week before Christmas?

Preparing for the Christmas Season

If you are into artificial trees then this article won’t interest you in the least. Walmart, Target and many other department stores all have their Christmas section on display. Artificial Christmas trees, packages, ribbons, boxes and bags, Christmas ornaments of every shape and size are already on the shelves. Some of them also have a live tree section in their nursery. However, they all look like a Who-ville Christmas.

However, if you are looking for a live Christmas tree in the Oklahoma City area, then you are in for a treat.

Christmas Tree Farms

It is estimated that over 30 million live Christmas trees are bought each year, with an additional 8-9% buying artificial trees. Of course there are the many who already have artificial trees and are just piecing them together this year.

The following is a list of some of the Christmas tree farms around Oklahoma City.

Sorghum Mill Christmas Tree and Blackberry Farm
7121 Midwest Lane, Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 340-5488
Hours: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Owned by John Knight, this Edmond tree farm gives you the opportunity to walk the farm, find a tree, and even cut it yourself. You can choose and harvest Virginia Pine, Scotch Pine, White Pine, Austrian Pine, Loblolly Pine, Leyland Cypress and Colorado Blue Spruce.

Also available are fresh pre-cut Noble, Fraser, Douglas and Grand Fir.

In addition to cutting a Christmas tree, they have a large assortment of live trees that you can take home and plant. With all the growing concerns about the environment this year, live tree sales may be on the rise. They have balled and burlapped, live White Pine, Scotch Pine, Austrian Pine, Loblolly Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Fat Albert Blue Spruce, Blue Atlas and Deodara Cedar.

Preparing Your Christmas Tree - Oklahoma Style

Coffee Creek Christmas Tree Farm
Charles and Kathy Bullock, Growers
13899 E. Coffee Creek Road (NE 220th)
Arcadia, OK. 73007
(405) 396-2282
Cell: (405 201-3555, (405) 923-0824

Call for directions or to arrange special cutting time.

Open Day After Thanksgiving to December 24th
Hours: Open Daily until Dark

Choose & Harvest: Beautiful Virginia Pine, Austrian Pines and Leyland Cypress.

Unusual and One-of-a-Kind Gift Shop
Free Cider, Hot Chocolate, Homemade cookies and Candy canes for all!

“Coffee Creek Christmas Tree Farm” will help your family create memories that will last a life time and become a special part of your holiday tradition!

WHITE’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Luke and Suzy Canon
11714 Maguire Rd, Noble, OK 73068
(405) 447-3839

Alt. phones (405) 596-3756 and (405) 364-6751 and (405) 596-3758

Virginia Pine, Wreaths & Greenery

East on Highway 9 in Norman to S.E. 120th, South 4 miles to McGuire Road, West on McGuire 1/4 mile to 117th, South side of road.

SANTA’S FOREST CHOOSE AND CUT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Kelly & Tamara Chaney
(580) 765-9441

Open 10 a.m. day after Thanksgiving and close December 21st (or when sold out). Hours 5 to 7 p.m. Monday -Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.

Virginia Pine. Choose and Cut Farm. Complimentary cup of cider, hot cocoa or coffee. Decorated wreaths, fresh greenery, and holiday woodcrafts.

3-1/2 miles West of Ponca City on new Hwy. 60, 11 miles east of I-35, Hwy. 60 exit.

These are only a few of the live tree farms in Oklahoma that you can choose and cut your own tree. Some of them also offer living trees so that when you are finished with Christmas you can plant the tree and do something good for the environment.

Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association
Pick your Own Christmas Tree – Oklahoma
Buying a Live Christmas Tree in Oklahoma City

Will “Black Friday Shopping Deals” Bring Death Again?

Posted on 26. Nov, 2009 by M.L. Zupan in Feature, Hot Topics, Seasonal

Long Island Wal-Mart on Black Friday in Nov. 2008 - Ends in Tragedy

Remembering Damour

“Jdimytai Damour, was crushed-to-death under a crazed mob of 2,000 frantic, selfish and greedy shoppers” – Black Friday Stampede – Who is to Blame? – CIDANews.com 2008

Last year, Black Friday did not represent the beginning of the Christmas shopping season with joy of holiday shopping and the anticipation of Christmas with loved ones and family. It ended tragically with the death of a young man who was trampled to death because of a mad rush of holiday shoppers who had to have that first big special of the day.

We at CIDANews.com would like to remind everyone to shop responsibly and show due caution in the face of holiday bargains. No life is worth 40, 50 or even 60% off.

Jdimytai Damour, a 34-year-old temporary maintenance worker, died in Black Friday stampede.

The family of Mr. Damour will forever have an empty seat at the Christmas table and an empty place in their hearts for the young man who is now missing from their lives.

He needs to be remembered, not as some faceless worker – but as a young man with family and loved ones just like you.

Keep Jdimytai Damour in mind when you go out this season and keep his family in your prayers. Try not to get caught up in the frenzy of the moment and exercise caring and caution – even if it means missing that last special deal. And above all – be safe this Christmas season.

Related Articles:

Black Friday Madness: Remembering Jdimytai Damour

Sister of worker Jdimytai Damour who died in Wal-Mart Black Friday stampede blasts ‘new rules’ — Daily News

Giving Thanks – The Forgotten Gift!

Posted on 26. Nov, 2009 by M.L. Zupan in Local, Seasonal

And yet, when it comes to giving we have forgotten one of the greatest gifts in the world does not come from a box or a store – it is the gift of “giving thanks”.

Thanksgiving

The act of giving “thanks” leading to the tradition of Thanksgiving has been a culmination of many things over the history of our nation.

In early years, those who traversed the great ocean and helped found the first colonies had a day of prayer & thanks for the safety of their travels and for the bountiful harvests that helped them survive. It was as a people – not a nation – that they gave thanks.

Thanksgiving as a Nation

Over the many years that followed, there were many thanksgiving celebrations. Colonists would join together – usually at the time of harvest – and celebrate the harvest by giving thanks to God, and to those around them who have worked hard over the course of the year, they gave special thanks for the safety of those who were in peril and arrived home safely. There were many reasons for giving thanks.

But the first “Thanksgiving Day” as a people and a Nation – the United States of America – a united people, came when Congress petitioned our first President – George Washington to declare a day of prayer and thanksgiving. It was not a law, it was not an official holiday, it was a Proclamation – a request.

So in 1798, on a Thursday, the 26th day of November – President George Washington called the Nation to celebrate a special day of Thanks.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor – and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation – for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

GO. WASHINGTON.

For many years, a day of proclamation was put forth by our leaders to set aside a singular “day of thanks” for our many blessings as a people and a nation.

Then in 1863, another President is remembered for making a proclamation and calling the nation as one people to give thanks. That President was Abraham Lincoln.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Thanksgiving as a Commercial Venture

Traditionally, thanksgiving as a nation was on a yearly basis. Congress would call for a day of thanks and the President would proclaim – usually the last Thursday of November as a national day of giving thanks.

However, that tradition was broken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 when November had five Thursdays in that year and he declared the fourth Thursday to be the day of Thanksgiving.

It is widely believed that Franklin D. Roosevelt had different motives for changing the day of thanksgiving – those motives were spurred by commercialization and enterprise rather than a heartfelt day of thanks and celebration. So for the next three years, he declared the second to last Thursday in November as thanksgiving – giving business an addition week to get ready for and sell goods before Christmas. His goal was to use the extended time to boost sales in hopes of helping the economy.

In 1941, both houses of U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution to establish a fixed day every year for Thanksgiving and making it an official National holiday. President Roosevelt signed the bill into federal law on December 26, 1941 and made it official – making the fourth Thursday of November Thanksgiving Day.

Sincere Thanks

Let us not forget that Thanksgiving Day is not about turkey, stuffing and getting stuffed, football, or even a day to get ready for black Friday. It is a day to give thanks for our nation, the freedoms we enjoy, the freedom to worship, the freedom to speak our minds, the freedom to travel.

It is especially a time to give thanks to God for his merciful blessings, His bounty and His protection. It is a time to give thanks for our wives, husband & children – their love, their support, their encouragement. Give thanks if you are employed and working this year because there are many who are not. Remember to give thanks for the men and women who are fighting so that we can continue to enjoy the blessings and freedom that we have as a people and a nation.

And while you are out driving – don’t forget to take a moment to thank the gas station attendants who are spending their time serving you when they would prefer to be home with their family and friends. On your next day to work, thank your boss for giving you the day off if you enjoyed the day off – because giving thanks is a gift you can give.

And lastly, when you are giving thanks – remember that a compliment or thanks is not perceived as sincere unless it is specific.

Treasure the gifts that you have and the ones that you have to give. Because it is the gifts from the heart that are treasured the most.

Black Friday Stampede – Who Is To Blame?

Posted on 04. Jan, 2009 by Editor in Seasonal, U.S.

Headline News: Trampled Worker’s Family Sues Wal-Mart?

Wow! What a suprise! The above headline comes from an article on newser.com, and the source of their news from guess who? – Associated Press (AP). Is that any wonder? Real news is not the same news told over and over again. Real news is news from different perspectives, different voices, and as unbiased as humanly possible.

How Does Someone Prepare for This?

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the family of the man who was “crushed to death when some 2,000 customers stormed into the Valley Stream store looking for bargains the day after Thanksgiving” — newser.com; is suing Walmart. They are bringing a “wrongful death lawsuit” in New York’s state Supreme court. Is it right?

When Justice Flees and Greed Remains

Question: How can an inanimate, nonliving entity be responsible for the death of a living, breathing human being?

Answer: It can’t!

CIDA News is all about looking at news from a different perspective. It is not always easy, and it is not always fun. And this is one of those stories that is neither easy, nor fun.

But was it Wal-Marts responsibility to be prepared for the worst in human nature? What happened to being self governed? The very concept of our nation was so we govern ourselves responsibly – we control our actions and reactions!

When a crime has been committed – those who have perpetrated the crime must be held responsible according to law. And in order for law to prosecute a crime there must have been a person or persons who have committed a crime. The responsibility clearly lies with the individuals who trampled the young man to death.

Article after article have been written claiming Wal-Mart’s responsibility in the stampede but nothing on the people who did the stomping. Wal-mart could have done this to avoid the tragedy, Wal-Mart should have done that to avoid the tragedy, Wal-Mart being held accountable for the actions of 2000 crazed and frantic individuals…

What about the responsibility and accountability of the news media or marketing and advertising companies who hype up the whole – get out and shop NOW, NOW, NOW before that last sale item is gone mentality. Should they be held responsible for stirring up the feeding frenzy that created this deadly rush?

What could have been done to avoid this tragedy?

• Wal-Mart could stop all Christmas sales – that way, the day after Thanksgiving nobody would be rushing to Wal-Mart to get the best deal because they wouldn’t have any.
• Cancel all media hype about Christmas sales – anything that could be construed as something that could incite agitation or irrational thinking and actions in shoppers should be put to a stop.
• Call out the National Gaurd for riot control every “Black Friday”
• Make ALL Wal-Marts, 24-hour Wal-Marts. In that way, if the doors had not been closed then this whole tragedy may have been avoided.

Could Wal-Mart have done something different? Possibly! It is possible that in this instant they could have had more employees in front of those doors running riot control for a possible deranged and mindless crowd. It is possible  that they should have anticipated the worst in human nature – but how do you prepare for something so cold and callous? It is also possible that if more employees would have been there on that tragic morning the headlines might have read: “Seven Wal-Mart Employees Trampled to Death in Mad Rush to Get Holiday Specials”.  Yes, more people could have been killed – so when do you say you have prepared enough.

Could the people who stampeded the Wal-Mart have done anything differently? Certainly!

Ultimately, the courts will decide what should be done about this loss. In order for us to continue to enjoy the privileges of a free nation, we must be wise enough to be accountable for our own actions or someone else will decide wisdom for us – and then we will no longer be free.

So, live responsibly, be accountable and chose wisely!

So This is Christmas – What Have We Become?

Posted on 30. Nov, 2008 by Editor in Seasonal

Black Friday – Tragedy, Chaos and Madness!

Lina Munoz, right, of Union City, N.J., a Wal-Mart employee, stands on a counter to help customers at the Wal-Mart store in Secaucus, N.J. -- Photo:AP

Black Friday – typically one of the top five busiest shopping days of the year and the day that is known for officially kicking off the Christmas shopping season has turned into tragedy.

A Man Was Trampled to Death!

The story of the death of one man does not end with the tragedy of one. This man (whoever he was), may have had a family that no longer has a father this Christmas or any other Christmas to come. This man could have been working a second job – or worst yet – working a job as a temp worker just to support his family with basic necessities after some hard times. He may have been making just enough to get by and tried to work a little extra to make Christmas nice for his family so they wouldn’t have to go without – but now they will have to live without him. We are truly sorry for your lose!

Crushing Chaos

Deplorable Frenzy

In a deplorable act of self centeredness and selfish display of humanity, a man was crushed to death. The breaking news story has literally reached around the globe with headlines such as:

• Worker dies in shopping crush – The Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au), Australia; published November 29, 2008
• ‘Black Friday’ death: Wal-Mart worker trampled by shoppers – KARE 11 (KARE11.com), Minneapolis, St. Paul Minnesota published November 29, 2008
• Staffer killed in Wal-Mart store stampede – Gulf Times (gulf-times.com); Doha, Qatar
• Wal-Mart Worker Dies When Shoppers Break Down Doors – Fox News (foxnews.com), U.S.; published November 28, 2008

Nov. 28, 2008: Nassau County Police stand just beyond the broken door of a Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, N.Y., as they investigate how a temporary Wal-Mart worker died after a throng of eager shoppers broke down the doors and trampled him moments after the Long Island store opened early Friday for day-after-Thanksgiving bargain hunting, police said. -- Photo by AP

The same story put out by Associated Press has been recirculated around the globe. No name was given to the man who was trampled to death because that might make the tragedy to real – to close to home – to personal. No face was given him and no thought to the many peoples lives who will be left forever emptier for not having him in their lives anymore or for not ever getting the chance to know him.

In all of that, one story has come to our attention that looks at this senseless act from a different perspective. We would like to reprint it in its entirety for our readers. Something to think about – it says what most news articles will not. It adds feeling, hurt, anger and passion for life along with deep sorry for the tragedy of the man’s senseless death. This story comes from Canada:

Black Friday Walmart Death – Are You Kidding?

by Kimberly Edwards – Blog N’ Butter

What is this world coming to?

Seriously…What is the reason the Walmart worker was trampled on when the store was ready to open on Black Friday?

He was holding the doors, due to unruly customers, trying to push the doors in…

Why, then, was he trampled?

Greed, Self-Centeredness, Selfishness, Ignorance…It all comes from the same animal…

Personally, I think this is an absolutely appalling display of humanity.

Did you know that wasn’t the only tragedy that day because of this incident?

A woman miscarried during this whole stampede…Disgusting behavior people! She lost her child!

That’s 2 murders because people were too greedy and selfish to allow people to move slower or, heaven forbid, they got “behind” someone…

Me, Me, Me…Mine, Mine, Mine…

I hope in this whole “Yes, We Can” era, people will start trying to live lives of excellence, to try and be better people overall, in every area of their lives.

I am abhorred by this entire story. It makes me so sad that we could still be stuck back in “caveman” days…What’s our problem?

I hope the police are able to catch EVERY SINGLE person that walked, ran or trodded over that poor Walmart worker, or who bumped excessively into that poor lady who lost her baby…

…And I hope they are ALL punished to the FULLEST extent of the law…The buck stops here!

You CANNOT tell me that the didn’t know they were trampling a person! I will not believe it!

*** If you would like to comment on the above article click the following link
- Black Friday Walmart Death – Are You Kidding? ***

How Could This Happen?

The man who was trampled you might think was a small, fragile man or a little, young man maybe just out of high school – according to the following video he was NOT a small man. Picture in your mind what kind of crowd this must have been in order to crush a man the size depicted in the video. Even more appalling are the glib, nonchalant comments in the background as if someone were watching an action drama on television.

CBS News Video from cell phone of Walmart Death

Several more videos of this tragedy and other stampedes at Walmart in the past can be viewed at the following website: Inquisitr.com

Has this ever happened before?

Unfortunately the answer to that is a resounding Yes!

Past WalMart Sampedes

“Some attorneys say they have handled numerous lawsuits involving injuries from Wal-Mart stampedes on Black Friday. Some speculate there are thousands such cases across the country every year. Most, they indicate, end with confidential settlements with the retailer.” — Inquisitr.com

When Will It End?

When we have forgotten what Christmas is all about – the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ – then is it any wonder that for some, there is no more hope than getting a few dollars off that must have and don’t need from the local discount store. This kind of tragedy will only end when Christmas once again becomes all about Him – the reason for the season – instead of us.

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We also welcome you to submit an article to CIDA News – we are looking for stories of selfless individuals who are stepping outside of their comfort zones in order to help others. A story of joy and caring – a true spirit of Christmas kind of story. Please submit your articles to: articles@cidanews.com