Step One:
Take your machete and walk about half a kilometer to where there are several cedar trees growing on the side of the road. Cut several large branches from the trees with your machete and carry them home in a basket (Note - a true Cameroonian would have carried the basket on his head; apparently after 21 years, I am still an amateur).Step Two:
Arrange the branches and tie the stems together at the bottom and about halfway up with a thin, green wire. Place the tied branches together in a plastic bucket, then fill the bucket with broken cement blocks to help stabilize them. Finally, fill the bucket with dirt (Note - this operation should be done on the front porch, to avoid spreading pine needles all over the house; to be accomplished properly, this operation also requires at least five hands and one curious dog).
Step Three:
Carry the bucket into the house and place it in a corner, so that the "tree" can have the support of two walls to lean against. Once the family has all gathered, decorate the "tree" with all of the light, durable wooden ornaments found in your Christmas ornament box. Place the homemade popsicle-stick star on the top to finish the decorating (Note - using any heavy or breakable ornaments would just be silly, as they would risk pulling over the tree).
Step Four:
Fill the space under the tree with presents and enjoy it with the family for the rest of the holiday season (Note - frequent and persistent prayers that the whole thing will not fall over at some point would not be unwise).Step Five:
Remember that the point of the season is not how big or beautifully decorated your tree is; the point is the love of God that sent His only Son down to earth, to be born as a tiny baby, that we might have abundant life as sons and daughters of the King of Kings.May all of you enjoy the wonderful presence and joy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during this holiday season and for all the year!
