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Festive origins
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WHILE Christmas is celebrated as a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus, more than 2,000 years ago, many of its popular traditions have origins in pagan cultures.
The modern Christmas tree, which originated in the 16th century in Germany, has its roots in pre-Christian winter solstice rites that celebrated light at the darkest time of the year.
And the practice of lovers kissing under the mistletoe can be traced back to Celtic rituals and Norse mythology.
The burning of the yule log and even the beloved figure of Santa Claus — or St Nicholas — are derived from ancient midwinter pagan festivals.
Indeed, the modern figure of Santa Claus is believed to owe a lot to the celebrated Norse god Odin, the blue-hooded, white-bearded bringer of gifts who rode through the midwinter sky on an eight-footed steed.
Gift-giving, now a core aspect of modern Christmas, was common in Roman celebrations of the late December festival Saturnalia, which may also have influenced Christmas customs.
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