Author and speaker Casey Schutrop is set to release Grandma's Christmas Legacy: The Testimony of the Tree, a beautifully illustrated and engaging new book which brings enriched meaning to the world's most identifiable symbol of Christmas worldwide - the Christmas tree.

Featuring a story that won a silver medal in the Best Gift/Holiday/Specialty category at the 2010 Independent Publisher Awards, this full-color, gold foil-embossed hardcover gift book is set to release nationally today from W.O.W. Ministries International and will be distributed internationally through STL Distribution.

In a fictional tale, a loving grandmother sits by the warmth of the fire late one Christmas Eve. Sensing it may be her last, she asks God to provide a gift, a legacy of His grace to her - something she could gift to her family so that they might know all they need to know of all they are to be. As she looks up from her prayer, she notices the Christmas tree softly glowing before her, and suddenly sees it in a whole new light. Glistening in all its glory, it whispers secrets of life and love that transcend loss and fear, to bring hope the year through. It is then that she knows what she must do. So, as the months pass, before she weakens, she pens the pages of a book and prepares the contents of a mysterious old trunk.

Almost a full year later, under the snowy tufts of winter, the family gathers for the annual decorating of the tree and discovers the book and the mysterious old trunk the grandmother has lovingly prepared for them. Perhaps it takes a grandmother's heart to reveal how the Christmas tree stands to tell the greatest story of all.

The Testimony of the Tree imparts new meaning to the tree and its familiar decorations by sharing this tender story of how the Lord gifts us with salvation, and then adorns our lives with purpose and hope by helping us discover our true identities as the Children of God.

After the fictional Christmas tale, The Testimony of the Tree also offers "a book within a book," which unveils a new tradition and an easy outreach tool for families. Readers are presented with an interactive experience to use as they gather to celebrate. The "Family-Read-Along" section is visual, auditory, and hands-on, to be used as families open their gifts or at any gathering throughout the Christmas season. The insights discovered cross lines of age and gender, whether 8 or 80.

"My desire with the fictional story, as well as the new tradition that shares The Testimony of the Tree metaphor, is that besides becoming a memory-maker to introduce a new Christmas tradition, all would realize who they are and to Whom they belong," Schutrop says. "For as an inheritance is given, it is a legacy we are to leave.'"

"My heart is that this metaphor and message would serve to bring a framework to families so that all may stand in strength and beauty as does the tree, as a symbol of hope in a dark world, pointing others to God," Schutrop says. "For this is our testimony, this is the testimony of the tree."

"As I wrote the book," says Schutrop. "I was inspired by Proverbs 11:28: For a life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree." (The Message)

Grandma's Christmas Legacy: The Testimony of the Tree has received high praise from Schutrop's peers, including Lance Wubbels, best-selling author of ECPA Gold Medallion Award-winning books To a Child, Love Is Spelled T-I-M-E and In His Presence.

"If you're like me, you've searched the bookstore shelves for a beautiful Christmas gift book that truly captures the message of Christmas only to walk out of the store disappointed," says Wubbels. "Finally, I've found one that I will delight in for years to come - Grandma's Christmas Legacy: The Testimony of the Tree. As exquisitely designed as the story is beautifully told, this book tells the Christmas story in a way that has touched my heart and made an unforgettable impression. This is one gift book I'll be happy to pass along to my children and grandchildren!"

For more information about Schutrop and Grandma's Christmas Legacy: The Testimony of the Tree, visit wowministriesintl.org or like on Facebook (facebook.com/Grandmas-Christmas-Legacy-the-Testimony-of-the-Tree).

About Casey Schutrop:
Casey Schutrop, the founder of W.O.W. Ministries International, is an award-winning author and speaker and a passionate Bible teacher known for her wit and wisdom.

Schutrop lives in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minn. with her husband Marty, who serves as Director of W.O.W. Ministries. The couple has three children.

About W.O.W. Ministries International:
As a women's ministry, W.O.W. Ministries International serves to redeem the time for families now, to make a kingdom impact with ripples into eternity.

"For we are not 'wow,' yet we are in awe of the mighty God who wows us. All can know the heart of the Father towards us. This is how we take the longest journey we will ever take in our faith - the journey from the head to the heart. My prayer for everyone is that their faith would go from 'head knowledge' to 'heart knowing,'" says Schutrop.