The Holly and the Ivy
Ray_Shrewsberry/Pixabay
Most of us associate holly and ivy as greenery used to help us give our homes a Christmasy feel, but these plants were used in winter celebrations long before Christianity came to Western Europe.
The lush green of these plants made them popular for winter solstice festivities. They were considered to have magical properties that kept evil spirits at bay. Because of this association with Pagan rites, many early Christians chose to avoid bringing them into the house but in countries such as Germany and what we now know of as the United Kingdom people kept up the practice but gave the evergreens a new meaning.
maxsezzy/Pixabay
Holly became a symbol of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus and its bright red berries, drops of blood.
And some say that we need to cling to God for support just as ivy must be supported by something as it grows.
GAIMARD/Pixabay
There are many other evergreens we still enjoy at Christmas, such as laurel, mistletoe and of course the spruce trees.
Do you have favourite decorations for your Christmas? Let us know, with pictures if you like. We would love to see them.
