HOLLY AT CHRISTMAS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 101, 15 December 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

HOLLY AT CHRISTMAS

For countless years the holly has heen associated with the blazing Yule log, and the Christmas feasting in the Northern Hemisphere, though ■we in the South know it only by .name at this time of the year. I" rom time immemorial it has been the good old custom in England to brighten up the interiors of church and hall, cottage and castle, with boughs and sprigs of holly at Christmas. The favourite plants for church find home decoration included bay. ' rosemary, ivy, and laurel, with holly in the foremost place. A Nature writer tells us that the holly was dedicated to Saturn, and «s the fetes of that deity was celebrated in the month of December, and the Romans were accustomed to decorate their houses with holly, the early Christians did so, too, when they celebrated their festival o! Christmas, in order that they might escape observation. Whether this be the true origin of the preference i'or holiy with which to decorate houses at Yuieiidc is not known, but from the earliest times of Christianity holly has played a conspicuous part in the festivities of this season. O the holly tree branch, he is stout and strong, And he recks not if Winter be short or long, For boldly he enters where mirth prevails, At the Christmas board, at the Christmas tales; But the mistletoe creeps like a poor, old fellow, With blood so cold, and with checks so yellow; Yet let him but hide in the festive hall, And you'll find him the jollies!; guest of all. The holly with its brilliant clusters of berries is a symbol in England of jollity and the Christmas spirit, and as such, is highly appreciated by all who love the festive season in true Dickensian manner.