My lesson

In pre-Christian times evergreens, trees that remain green throughout the year. were worshiped in Northern Europe as symbols of eternal life.

Holly, a well-known Christmas decoration today, has Christian associations.

This is the day when people decorate their trees.

In Norwegian, Swedish and Danish, holly is known as "Christ's thorns", the legend being that Christ wore a crown of holly thorns before his death.

All the branches are hung with silver bells, tinsel and sparkling lights.

Mistletoe, hung up as a Christmas decoration is a symbol of love and reconciliation.

Now every Christmas British people are sent a huge fir tree from Norway which stands in Trafalgar Square, in the centre of London, shining down on all the people who gather on Christmas Eve.

December 26th is now known as Boxing Day, for it was then that the priests of the Middle Ages opened alms boxes to give to the poor.

Mistletoe, hung up as a Christmas decoration is a symbol of love and reconciliation.

But although Christmas is undoubtedly a Christian celebration, it is also true to say that it is an unusual combination of pagan and Christian festivities.

But although Christmas is undoubtedly a Christian celebration, it is also true to say that it is an unusual combination of pagan and Christian festivities.

Sitting on the very top of the tree is a silver star surrounded by tiny lights.

Giving presents goes back to Roman Saturnalia when good luck gifts of fruit, pastry or gold were given to friends on New Year's Day.

Not all Christian customs and traditions are of ancient origin.

A Christmas tree stands in everybody's living room at Christmas, shining its good cheer around the room.

In fact America adopted it before it found its way to England early in Queen Victoria's reign.

In pre-Christian times evergreens, trees that remain green throughout the year. were worshiped in Northern Europe as symbols of eternal life.

December 26th is now known as Boxing Day, for it was then that the priests of the Middle Ages opened alms boxes to give to the poor.

But although Christmas is undoubtedly a Christian celebration, it is also true to say that it is an unusual combination of pagan and Christian festivities.

In Norwegian, Swedish and Danish, holly is known as "Christ's thorns", the legend being that Christ wore a crown of holly thorns before his death.