Advent wreath devotions for children: Catholic Christian Christmas worship

Candle ceremonies are common components in many faith traditions and religious rituals. Jews pray the menorah at Hanukkah and African American Kwanzaa employs mishumaa candles. The Christian faith uses the Advent wreath at Christmas. The Advent wreath is an ancient practice observed in many Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christian churches and homes around the world. Catholic families generally have their own advent wreath. Prayers and devotions are said as Advent candles are lit.  Advent wreath devotions for children: Catholic Christian Christmas worship | Examiner.com

CDC: STDs syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia rates rising: Chlamydia highest ever | Examiner.com

Here's a scary health statistic--three sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise. STDs syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are worse than ever and getting worse for the first time in years, reported Health Day News on Nov. 17. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the number of cases of these major STDs increased last year for the first time since 2006. Here's another scary stat: the rate of chlamydia infection is the highest it's ever been. Some 1.4 million cases of chlamydia were reported to the CDC in 2014. That represents a 2.8 percent increase since 2013. This is the greatest number of cases of any STD ever reported to the CDC, said CDC's Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2014 report.  CDC: STDs syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia rates rising: Chlamydia highest ever | Examiner.com

Christmas overindulgence causes selfish entitlement, depression, relationship problems

Christmas is caring and sharing, but Black Friday is bloody noses and busted lips. Each year, shoppers battle each other for prized goods and Black Friday 2015 was no different, reported Fox 59 on Nov. 30. Why do people fight over Christmas presents in the season of goodwill toward men? Because Christmas shopping has nothing to do with an attitude of gratitude and everything to do with an attitude of entitlement. Christmas shows people at their most self-centered and miserable. Black Friday and Christmas overindulgence causes greedy selfish entitlement and ingratitude. But maybe it's a question of which came first, the selfish entitlement or holiday indulgence? Perhaps it doesn't matter because the results are the same--indulgence and entitlement both lead to resentment, relationship problems, depression, even suicide.   Black Friday, Christmas overindulgence causes selfish entitlement, depression | Examiner.com