Christmas – A History of Greenery and Grace

To understand the Christmas of 2025, we must look back at the centuries of "borrowed" beauty that make up our modern traditions. As a writer, I am fascinated by how we wove ancient, almost primeval symbols into a celebration of the Divine. Where did these icons—the tree, the mistletoe, the holly—actually come from?

1. The Christmas Tree: A Royal Export

While evergreen branches were used by ancient Egyptians and Romans to symbolize eternal life during the solstice, the "Christmas Tree" as we know it is a German tradition. It was famously popularized in the 19th century by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. When a drawing of the royal family standing around a decorated tree at Windsor Castle was published, the world was in awe. It turned a private Germanic custom into a global symbol of domestic warmth.

2. Mistletoe: The Peace-Bringer

Long before the "kissing under the mistletoe" tradition, this parasitic plant was sacred to the Druids. In Norse mythology, it was the plant that killed the god Baldur, but his mother, Frigg, later declared it a symbol of love. In ancient times, if enemies met in the forest under mistletoe, they were required to lay down their arms and observe a truce for 24 hours. Today, it remains a whisper of that ancient "peace on earth."

3. Holly and Ivy: The Crown of Thorns

In the Christian tradition, these plants were given a spiritual narrative. The prickly leaves of the holly represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus during the Passion, and the red berries symbolized the drops of blood shed for humanity. To bring holly into the home was to acknowledge the full story of Christ—from the cradle to the cross.

4. The European Connection: Sinterklaas and Beyond

As I explore these traditions, I can’t help but think of the "Old World" roots that still thrive in Belgium. While Americans wait for Santa on the 25th, my friends in Brussels and beyond have already celebrated Sinterklaas on December 6th. This earlier celebration keeps the figure of the Bishop—St. Nicholas—distinct from the more secular "Santa Claus." It is a reminder that Christmas is a layered history, a tapestry of many lands and many eras.

The Writer’s Reflection

Why do we still bring "nature" inside during the dead of winter? Because these traditions remind us that life persists. Even when the ground is frozen and the world feels dormant, the evergreen stands.

In 2025, we don't just decorate because it’s "pretty." We decorate because we are part of a long line of humans who, for thousands of years, have reached for green things in the dark as a way of saying: Life is coming back.