I believe they are part of a pagan ritual that is used to celebrate the solstice and has nothing to do with goodwill, Christ or any other belief I hold, so we don't have one
You are right. The Christmas tree as we call it today, did originate with the Pagans, but it was also part of the Druids and Wiccans celebration (not ritual). Along with Yule log, mistletoe and Holly wreaths. When Christianity was spreading though-out Europe, it was common place for the Christians to take on some of the local beliefs. This made the conversion to Christianity more appealing to the locals.
I believe they are part of a pagan ritual that is used to celebrate the solstice and has nothing to do with goodwill, Christ or any other belief I hold, so we don't have one
However if someone has one and they like the way it looks, no beef here.
You are right. The Christmas tree as we call it today, did originate with the Pagans, but it was also part of the Druids and Wiccans celebration (not ritual). Along with Yule log, mistletoe and Holly wreaths. When Christianity was spreading though-out Europe, it was common place for the Christians to take on some of the local beliefs. This made the conversion to Christianity more appealing to the locals.
You'd like the book, Fossilized Customs by Lew White
Thanks.