From: herbertwarmstrong@cog-web-svc.com   
      
   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   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)