Christmas is just around the corner, so what better time for a dip into some of the fun myths and legends associated with the season?
What we know today as the definitive Christian holiday is closely tied to older Roman and Pagan festivals, and lots of its traditions (like the Christmas tree) have their *ahem* roots in these story-telling cultures. So, if you’re sitting comfortably we’ll begin…
Christmas Trees
Many say the Christmas tree harks back to the days of Pagan tree worship, where nature itself was being revered rather than a creator. Early Christians in 16th century Germany would decorate their Christmas trees with fairies and ribbons to ward off evil spirits; symbolic decoration like candles and stars to represent the star of Bethlehem weren’t used until much later.
One legend recounts that there was once a poor woodcutter and his family who gave shelter and food to a ragged child who had knocked at the door on Christmas Eve. In the morning they awoke to a choir of angels, and on looking outside saw the child now dressed in magnificent robes and bathed in light.
The child announced that he was the Christ child, and in return for their kindness he gave them a gift of a Christmas tree which would bear fruit for them every cold winter.
Another German legend tells of how the animals were allowed indoors to look at the wonderful trees on Christmas Eve, apart from the spiders as housewives didn’t want cobwebs. The spiders complained to Jesus (in those days it was easier to speak to the bosses of large organisations) who decreed they should be let in to see the wonderful sight.
The excited spiders ran from tree to tree, casting webs as they explored, but in the morning the housewives were delighted to see their webs had turned to silver tinsel.
Mistletoe
The Mistletoe plant was used by Celtic Druids in their celebrations for summer and winter solstice. Legend had it that the plant must be cut with a golden sickle and caught before it hit the ground to preserve the magic within. The branches were then divided and hung above doorways to keep evil spirits at bay.
Mistletoe’s famed use as a prop for Christmas snogs also has a basis in mythology; Norse folklore tells a tale of how the goddess Frigga dreamt that her son, Baldr, would die.
To prevent his death, Frigga sought assurances from every plant and animal that they would bring no harm to her son. However, the god Loki knew that she had overlooked one plant and that was mistletoe. Loki crafted an arrow from the plant and had Baldr shot.
For days all things in heaven and earth tried to revive Baldr but to no avail. However, Frigga herself finally managed to restore her son herself and the tears she cried in relief became the white berries on the mistletoe plant. Frigga was so happy that she kissed everyone who ventured under the plant.
