I am only today taking down my Christmas tree. Making it something of a treat too, with the strong voices of Il Divo's Christmas CD keeping me company.

I've waited till now because it feels as though Christmas slipped through this year without much of my attention.

The beginning of December had me returning from Uganda and promptly becoming ill. With no plans of getting a tree or gifts this year, I was content to simply breathe in Christmas however it decided to come to us.

Well come it did. In the most delightful way

That second week of December found me semi-comatose on the couch. For three days I lay in a feverish stupor, only getting up to visit the washroom or to eat a Christmas orange or to try drinking some water.

One of those afternoons in tumbled and bubbled my son Zack with his girlfriend Meghan, and my daughter Danielle with her friend Donald. They were very excited and delightedly exclaimed that they had found a 5' fake Christmas tree for only $5.

(to which I vaguely remember groaning a 'wow that is great' from my place on the couch)

They immediately proceeded to set it up and decorate it with the decorations they had also bought. With Meghan taking charge of the lights and Donald taking charge of the decorations we soon had a Christmas tree. Viola!

The perfect size and balance for our apartment too!

Within a day or two I was admitted to the hospital. And when I came home from my six-day stay, I found the house decorated. Stockings hanging over the fire. Christmas decorations out and about. Candles, lights at the windows, ornaments, all arranged with care.

All that was left to do was to get out my own tree ornaments and add them to the ones that the kids had already put on the tree. And this I managed the Sunday before Christmas. I loved the treat of adding in my own touch, but even more so, I loved that the whole thing had been such a community event of sorts.

A few days later I mentioned the decorating to Danielle to which she laughed and said, "Yes I came home from school one day to find Meghan and Donald decorating the house!"

I think it is one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received; certainly one I will never forget. I am simply tickled pink.

And I am pretty sure this was as tangible a demonstration of the spirit of Christmas as ever there was.

So I've enjoyed the tree a little longer than usual, and have made a ta-da out of taking it down, with Il Divo and a blog post commemorating the event.

Gonna take this cheer with me as I go through this year; Christmas: effort, focus, care, tangibly given in the shape of a 5' fake Christmas tree.

Simply sublime