Lessons from a Christmas tree...

It's December 4, and I still don't have my Christmas tree at home decorated. A bare evergreen stands tall in the corner of the living room, staring at me. I'll get to it soon, I say.

Traditionally, we'd decorate it on Thanksgiving weekend. It's something we've done with our kids since they were little. This year, nobody was really feeling it. My oldest had put up the tree in her apartment weeks ago, and my middle child spent hours decorating the display windows in the newspaper office last week.

It was my son, the youngest, who got nominated to assemble the tree, which he did. Now it's time to adorn it with lights, strings of beads and all the fun ornaments our family has collected over the years.

Hopefully the lights will be twinkling on it by the time you read this column. If not, I'm sure it will happen soon enough.

I came across a little meme, and it spoke to me as I gazed over at the barren Christmas tree while writing this. For a moment I saw that tree in all its glory, decorated with all the good things. I arranged the lines in a tree shape for effect. So here, you have it, Lessons from a Christmas Tree:

Christmas Tree

Be a light in the darkness.

Bring joy to those around you.

It's okay to fall over sometimes.

Sparkle and twinkle whenever you can.

And remember, it's perfectly fine to be a little tilted.

That last one made me chuckle, as I thought about the Christmas tree in Whoville, the fictitious town in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

It leans over at the top, chock full of so many good things that its branches naturally bend from the weight.

When a tree leans in real life, it's a sign of a living thing adapting to its environment. There might be a steady wind from a certain direction causing it to bend away from the breeze. Or perhaps it grew along a hillside and the topsoil moved, causing it to tilt. The same can happen when a swing hangs from its bough, and the tree bends from the weight of people enjoying its shade.

Speaking of trees, this past Sunday was a great opportunity to see a variety of holiday-themed trees. The Festival of Trees at Bethel Assembly of God in Carrington brought together trees and wreaths decorated by locals. I made a special trip to the library on Wednesday to see them all on display, as I knew I wouldn't make it to the actual event.

We also wandered by CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington Medical Center to see the Tree of Lights all lit up. Donations come in from all over the area and beyond each year, with proceeds used to purchase much-needed medical equipment at our hometown hospital.

Meanwhile, in New Rockford, the New Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce board has issued a challenge for all residents and businesses of the city. Decorate your home or business and post your pic or video on their Facebook page, @nrchamber. One resident and business owner will each win $25 Chamber bucks and bragging rights for having the best display. The rest of the community, and visitors alike, can drive around town and enjoy the lights.

Driving around to see the lights was something we always did when I was a kid. Dad and mom would take us around Fessenden after the Christmas concert each year, and I remember gazing out the window, in awe of all the sparkling lights. The Fessenden Co-op elevator (now CenDak Cooperative) had a star lit on top, and I'd look for it every time we drove north on our way into town.

May your holidays be filled with love and laughter, and may your Christmas tree be a beacon of light to those around you. I know mine will, as soon as it gets decorated, that is...