or some other conifer. The whole premise of Christmas is based on pagan ritual
http://merganser.math.gvsu.edu/myth/dec01.htmlChristmas Trees: The tradition of decorating and venerating trees is a primordial human practice. The Christmas tree represents the World Tree, whose branches support the sun, moon and stars and whose roots reach deeply under the fabric of our world, bridging the worlds of god and human. The worship of trees is a faith as old as mankind itself. The earliest evergreen solstice trees were thought to have been fir trees.
Tree ornaments: The placement of representative objects upon vegetative matter such as a tree, or a bush is a form of imitative magic full of meaning. The power and placement of the object is thought to enhance the health or provide whatever attribute the seeker desires.
The first "ornaments" were thought to be fruits, nuts and confections in the hope of speeding the return of the growing seasons of spring and summer. Many of the old blown-glass style ornaments we see today are of powdered fruit, bunches of grapes and the like.
The common highly reflective ball ornaments are representative of the "witch's ball," which reflects evil back toward them who would send it. The reflective quality of these ornaments, some with faceted indentations, catches and reflect back the light of the newly-born sun.
The star atop the Christmas tree is the five-pointed star of the early nature religions. The star represents the unity of the four elements and cardinal directions along with the place of spirit, the fifth direction, the sacred Otherworld. Another tree topper, the angel, is the Great Goddess herself.
The shiny, hanging "icicles" hung from Christmas trees are also known as "rain." As rain, or water is essential to any kind of life, the decoration that we now call tinsel was once a potent form of fertility magic. Any object, be it humble or highly decorative, brings good luck when hung on the sacred World Tree by a caring household.
http://www.tryskelion.com/yule7.htmThe pinea silva or sacred pine groves that were attached to pagan Roman temples also pre-figured the Christmas tree. On the night before a holy day, Roman priests called "tree-bearers" cut one of the sacred pines, decorated it, and carried it into the temple. In fact, the German word for Christmas tree is not Kristenbaum, or Christmas tree, but Tannenbaum, or sacred tree.
Church leaders from the early centuries of the Church all the way through Puritan society in 17th century Massachusetts condemned the custom of bringing decorated evergreens into the home at Yule time. The custom was so beloved and persistent, however, that repeated attempts to eradicate 'heathen' practices ultimately failed-and now these pagan traditions, which largely celebrate nature, are among the most treasured elements of the season.
Decorating the tree with objects resembling fruits, nuts, berries, and even flowers is thought to be a symbolic act designed to bring about the return of summer's bounty. In this way early cultures hoped to hurry the return of spring, and ensure survival through the rest of the harsh winter months.
Christmas wreaths are also ancient, and were traditionally made of evergreens, holly, and ivy. The wreath's circle symbolizes the wheel of the year and the completion of another cycle. Holly represents the female element; ivy represents the male. Like evergreens, holly was believed to contain a mysterious life force because it bore berries in the middle of winter. Both holly and ivy were thought to have magical properties, and were used as protection against negative elements.
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