I ran across a blog written by Greg Laurie about how Christmas begins and ends with a tree.  It was a very moving message about how CHRISTmas began with Jesus’ family tree and ended with his death on a tree a series of events that changed my life and has the power to change yours.  I hope you will give this a read and pass it along ~Michelle

It’s interesting to note that the Christmas story does not begin with the words “once upon a time” as so many fairytales do. It starts with a series of “begots”—so-and-so begot so-and-so. That is because the Christmas story is a factual, historical event. It still has all the pathos and magic and pageantry of the best fairytales, yet this is a real story. All other stories we’ve heard are, at best, pale imitations of the greatest story ever told. The story of the birth of Jesus started in heaven and unfolded on Earth.

That is why red is the color of Christmas—not because Santa wore red or because we wrap our presents in red paper or attach red bows to holly wreaths or put red bulbs on our trees. Red is the color of Christmas because it is the color of the blood that was shed from the cross for each and every one of us. Jesus died for the sins of the world so he could make available to us the greatest of all gifts. READ MORE