Often times it is debated if many of our traditional holidays don't have pagan roots. However, Christmas, the celebration of Christs birth seems to attract particular attention from modern Christians and Pagans alike. It is clear that there are some cultural influences on our modern day Christmas celebrations, however, is this alone enough to make Christmas Pagan?

Many have argued that Christmas is about the spirit of the celebration. That is to say that Christmas is not about what you do or how your traditions originated, but instead is about the spirit of what your are practicing. On the other hand, others argue that because of the pagan influences all Christmas traditions are corrupted and should not be celebrated. I can not tell you which of these is the case, however, I can help to show you how paganism and it's celebrations are directly tied into our modern day celebration of Christmas.

The Christmas tree's origin, it can be argued, can be found in Thor's Oak. This ancient tree was sacred to the Germanic pagans. Thor's Oak stood near the village of Geismar, which is now a part of the town of Fritzlar. The tree is said to have fallen in 723, the beginning of Christianizing of northern Germany.

The connection between Thor's Oak and the Christmas tree can be found with Saint Boniface. Tradition holds that Thor's Oak was chopped down by Boniface. When this happened Boniface declared the the fir tree growing in its roots to be a new symbol. Bonifae said, "This humble tree's wood is used to build your homes: let Christ be at the centre of your households. Its leaves remain evergreen in the darkest days: let Christ be your constant light. Its boughs reach out to embrace and its top points to heaven: let Christ be your Comfort and Guide."

Other forms of evergreen trees were often used as decoration during the winter months. But the first decoration of a Christmas tree comes from 16th century Germany. The Christmas tree's origins beyond this though are unclear. It is not known who or in what locality in Germany the Christmas tree emerged. Although, it can be said with almost one hundred percent certainty that the Christmas Tree first appeared in the Upper Rhineland towns. Upper Rhineland was primarily dominated by protestants, in contrast the Christmas tree did not catch on the Lower Rhineland towns of mostly Catholic faith. As early as 1539, however, there are records of a Christmas Tree being erected in the Cathedral of Strasbourg. In 1570, there are reports of guilds decorating the trees with fruits, nuts, and other treats for the children of the various guilds to enjoy on Christmas. It wasn't until a century later that the custom moved into the family home.

Today we associate the Christmas or Yule ham with the Christan holidays. But perhaps there are pagan origins involved. For example, it is sugested that the tradition started with the Germanic people's tribute to Freyr. Freyr, a Germanic Pagan God, was often associated with boars, fertility and harvest. During this time the boars head with an apple in it was placed on a ornate plater and carried with the sounds of trumpets in the background. In Scandinavia and England it is believed that Saint Stephen inherited much of Freyr's qualities. Saint Stephen's feast day is the December 26 and so he became a part of the celebrations that were previously associated with the Pagan god Freyr. In Swedish art Stephen is shown bringing a boars head to a banquet much like was done in Freyr's time.

The Yule log is a large log that is burnt in the hearth and is part of the Christmas celebration and is usually burnt during the Winter Solstice Festival, the Twelve Days of Christmas, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. This custom can be traced all the way back to the Germanic Pagans, who practiced tree worship. This tradition, much like the Christmas Tree, can be traced back to Thor's Oak. The custom can be seen in both Anglo-Saxon England and Scandinavia suggesting a common cultural connection going back to the ancient respect for trees associated with Thor. England helped to cement this as a strictly holiday celebration in that Father Christmas is often seen carrying a Yule log.