Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for December 02, 2012

Truth is, the so-called xmas tree is a misnomer; the tradition began with Northern Germanic Druids burning a log to symbolise the coming of the Winter solstice (sometimes called a “yule log” < Now made as a chocolate cake), later, some tribes began to burn the entire tree; eventually, burning trees were replaced by trees with candles on them, and from which hung gifts such as apples and oranges.It was this tree that came over from Germany, to the English speaking World, with Prince Albert, when he married Queen Victoria, and it became the new “xmas” tradition. Today, of course, the candles have been replaced with lights and the oranges with large coloured balls, but, it all began with a “pagan” ceremony by ancient German Druids. (So, the next time someone complains about the “PC crowd” calling the “burning” tree in your living room a “Holiday tree” , laugh and say, yes, it is!)