The New Encyclopædia Britannica says: “Tree worship, common among the pagan Europeans, survived after their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmastime. ”
” The New Encyclopædia Britannica ” ütleb: ” Puude kummardamine, mis paganlike eurooplaste seas tavaline oli, elas pärast nende kristlusesse pöördumist Skandinaavias edasi tavana, mille kohaselt aastavahetusel kaunistati maja ja laut kuradi eemalepeletamiseks igihaljaste taimedega ning jõuluajal seati üles puu lindude jaoks. ”