The Basel's christmas tree was beautiful (as were the other decorations, including the table setting)!  A fresh tree decorated with beautiful ornaments and candles -- it's top touched the ceiling!  Just after dinner and before devotional time, Andre lit the candles on the tree. 

Jim asked if he had a fire extinguisher -- the answer to which was no.  Now, as American's we are a tad bit shy of open fire in a house with no fire extinguisher... = ) But it is a South African (and Basel family) tradition to have candles on the tree.  (The South African's we've met here do not go halfway with anything.  If they are BBQ-ing, they use real wood, charcoal if they HAVE to .. but never ever gas grills.  The same goes for christmas trees -- the real tree (not plastic) and candles (not electric lights)...) 

After dinner and candle lighting, we enjoyed a time of worship and a short devotional from Philippians.  (It's so much fun to be able to celebrate the birth of Christ with other believers and to keep the focus on Him! )  Partway through the devotional, a cry went up from the room -- the tree was on fire!  Six inches of flame shooting off one of the limbs -- Andre jumped up and quickly put it out -- and all the other candles too!    The devotional ended shortly thereafter!