From Newsgroup: alt.bible.prophecy

Origin of Holly Wreath, Mistletoe, Yule Log

Now where did we get this mistletoe custom? Among the ancient pagans the mistletoe was used at this festival of the winter solstice because it
was considered sacred to the sun, because of its supposed miraculous
healing power. The pagan custom of kissing under the mistletoe was an
early step in the night of revelry and drunken debauchery--celebrating
the death of the "old sun" and the birth of the new at the winter
solstice. Mistletoe, sacred in pagan festivals, is a parasite!

Holly berries were also considered sacred to the sun-god. The yule log
is in reality the "sun log." "Yule" means "wheel," a pagan symbol of the
sun. Yet today professing Christians speak of the "sacred yule-tide season"!

Even the lighting of fires and candles as a Christian ceremony is merely
a continuation of the pagan custom, encouraging the waning sun-god as he reached the lowest place in the southern skies!

The Encyclopedia Americana says: "The holly, the mistletoe, the Yule
log...are relics of pre-Christian times." Of paganism!

The book Answers to Questions, compiled by Frederick J. Haskins, found
in public libraries, says: "The use of Christmas wreaths is believed by authorities to be traceable to the pagan customs of decorating buildings
and places of worship at the feast which took place at the same time as Christmas. The Christmas tree is from Egypt, and its origin dates from a period long anterior to the Christian Era."


Title: The Plain Truth About Christmas
Author: Herbert W Armstrong
Date: 1952, 1972, 1974
Type: Booklet
Type Media: PDF

https://cog-hwa.org/pub/bb/xmas.pdf
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