The Greatest Christmas Tree

I am sitting here in the dark, sipping hot apple cider and watching the Christmas tree turn with it's lights blinking continually to their own rythm. It's so beautiful and peaceful. It represents so much of what we believe as a Christian this time of year.

And yet, there was another tree. A tree that was marred and stained with the blood of the One we celebrate this season. A tree that has given life freely to those who kneel at the base of it. A tree that has been the focal point of one carrying their burden of sin or pain-filled heart. A tree that is even more beautiful to me than the one I have here in my living room tonight.

Bruce and I sing a song at Christmas and I wanted to share the words with you. This was written by Becky Rochester and has become my favorite Christmas carol. I hope the words bless you as much as they do me.

The Greatest Christmas Tree

Shepherds came to worship Him
Wise men came from afar
But the light that they were seeking,
was more than just a star
He was Heaven's gift
sent down to earth
Mary's little boy
Wrapped there in swaddling clothes
was peace, and love, and joy

There's never been a greater gift
God gave His only Son
To whom extended mercy
and grace to everyone
The reason why this King would come
be born within a stall
Was to die for me at Calvary
The greatest Christmas tree of all

From a stable in Bethlehem
to a cross upon a hill
Praying "Father, please not my will, but thine to fulfill"
From the safety of a virgin's womb to be hung on Calvary
Where the light of the world decorated
the greatest Christmas tree

The soldiers that nailed Him there,
no beauty could they see,
yet an ornament of love,
they were hanging on that tree
No ribbons, no angel top
just a thorny crown
And the gift He gave to all the world
was His blood
flowing down

From a stable in Bethlehem
to a cross upon a hill
Praying, "Father, please not my will, but thine to fulfill"
From the safety of a virgin's womb to be hung on Calvary
Where the light of the world decorated
the greatest Christmas tree

From the safety of a virgin's womb
to be hung on Calvary
Where the light of the world decorated
the greatest Christmas tree.