Generally people accept their Christmas tradition without question. They do not stop to consider that these customs are a kind of museum, showing glimps es of their forefathers’ way of life and beliefs, of pagan cults as well as of ancient Christian traditions.

The evergreen Christmas tree conveys the idea of vitality and growth, in spite of winter and the dark period, and incorporates pagan as well as Christian symbols. The misteltoe we acquired from the Celts, the holly from the Saxons, and the custom of giving gifts was taken from a Roman New Year festival. The people of Norway have among their own Christmas customs some that can be traced back to the pagan sacrificial offerings of their viking forebears.