:::Nods:::

Decorated trees were part of the Roman Saturnalia, but they were not part of the Early Germanic tradition. It was the Missionaries from Rome that brought it north.

Folks (on both sides of the religious divide) that claim the other side is out to destroy the "true spirit of the Season" really annoy me. I'm annoyed by Christians that portray Pagans as being Grinchy for pointing out that Jesus was not born at midwinter (a fact that is alluded to even in the Biblical account). And I'm also annoyed by Pagans that try to portray the Christian celebration of this time as the result of forced conversions.

Of all the times that the early Christains could have picked for celebrating Christ's birth, the winter solstice just makes sense, because, for the Christian believer, Christ is the "living light that saves us from the darkness."

Our beliefs (whether religious or secular) are reborn anew each time we take the time to observe them. If you're a Christain, you can see, and honor, the tree as a symbol of the Holy Trinity and the Eternal Life promised through Christ's sacrifice. If you're Pagan, you can see, and honor, the tree as an embodiment of the Cosmic World Tree. If you are an atheist who believes in the teaching of science, you might choose to see the tree as a metaphorical representation of how all life is related through evolution, and be grateful that we live in a world as diverse and beautiful as it is.

I look at the tree and see one thing. But each and every one of my neighbors is still just as free as they ever were to see the tree in their own way.

If you keep your holy days in your heart, than no one can ever steal them from you.