Christmas Boughs of Holly
Christmas boughs of holly are popular in Northern Europe. There, Christmas coincides with winter where evil spirits are said to be howling around. But holly plants remain green and withstand the challenges of cold winter and hence, attributed with "magical" powers. Thus, people made it part of tradition to hang boughs of holly to drive away evil spirits. Some stories go as far as looking at the holly's pointed leaves as symbolical of Christ's thorny crown and His sacrifice for mankind.
Christmas boughs of holly are popular in Northern Europe. There, Christmas coincides with winter where evil spirits are said to be howling around. But holly plants remain green and withstand the challenges of cold winter and hence, attributed with "magical" powers. Thus, people made it part of tradition to hang boughs of holly to drive away evil spirits. Some stories go as far as looking at the holly's pointed leaves as symbolical of Christ's thorny crown and His sacrifice for mankind.
