"Born that man no more shall die"

     Green Christmas trees are sprouting in windows of both homes and stores.  Red ornaments are hanging on every branch, reflecting the glowing, white lights.  Sweet, ivory candy canes are wrapped in crimson stripes that await being licked off.  Silver bells are chiming at every store, asking you to show love to the less fortunate this Christmas season by dropping your change in a shiny, red bucket.  Presents that are wrapped in red are slowing beginning to cover the floor under the tree.  Gingerbread men are lovingly dressed in shiny red frosting. 

     Red is the color of Christmas, but it is also the color of the reason for the season.  Red is the color of Jesus’s precious blood that He shed on the cross for everyone who would believe in Him.  It is the color of the sweat drops of blood on His brow when he prayed in the garden.  This is the whole reason that God gave His only begotten Son to be born of the virgin Mary that silent night so long ago.  It was so He could die a horrible death on the cross at Calvary, shedding his blood in a crimson flow so none should perish, but all should come to know Him and receive everlasting life.   The Christmas story doesn't stop in that dirty little stable in Bethlehem, but it continues.  It leads us to the old rugged cross, and one day it will lead us to Heaven, where we will spend eternity, forever praising and worshiping at God's nail pierced feet for that small and heavenly babe that was laid in a manger that first Christmas.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

     Mom and I have put up the Christmas tree and we have decorated the house.  The old family nativity set has been set in a place of honor were all can see on the desk.  Christmas lights are starting to appear in town and you can see Christmas trees sprouting in the windows of the houses that you pass on the road.  Christmas presents that wrapped in glossy paper are starting to appear under the tree and Bing is wishing us Merry Christmas.  Secret meetings are taking place where we  plot about Christmas morning surprises in hushed whispers with occasional over excited screech .  Christmas cookies are in the oven filling the house the the rich smell of cinnamon.  Grant is watching Christmas with the Kranks and his laughter in ringing throughout the house.  Silver bells are being rung at the door of every store in town and everyone is wishing you a merry Christmas.  Nativity sets are being constructed on church lawns to remind us of the reason for the season in the midst of the bustle, making sure that every one has a special gift under the tree.  Yes it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!