Steve Webb  0:03  
Hi and welcome to day four out of 25 of the 2022 encore of the 2009 season of the Lifespring Why Christmas show hosted by James Cooper, creator of whychristmas.com. And yours truly, Steve Webb, the OG Godcaster and host of over 3000 podcast episodes at Lifespringmedia.com. Every day from now to Christmas day you will hear an episode from the 2009 season and if you're not yet subscribed or following the show, you can do that at LifespringWhyChristmas.show. Are you ready? Here's the show. Enjoy.

Steve Webb  0:55  
Welcome to the Lifespring Why Christmas show day four. Remember we'll have a show today right up to and including Christmas. I'm Steve Webb, and I'll be your host today as we learn a bit about mistletoe, one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season. Mistletoe is a plant that grows on other trees commonly willow and apple trees. The practice of hanging it in the house goes back to the times of the ancient Druids in Western Europe. It was supposed to possess special powers which bring good luck to the household and ward off evil spirits. It was also used as a sign of friendship. And that's where the custom of kissing under the mistletoe comes from. And that custom first started in England. The original custom was that a berry was picked from the sprig of mistletoe each time there was a kiss. So make sure you get a bunch with lots of berries on it. It's traditional to take decorations down on 12th night also known as epiphany, which is the sixth of January. During the Middle Ages greenery including mistletoe was often left hanging up until Candlemas when Christians celebrate Jesus going to the Jewish temple as a baby in early February. You can find out more about some of the other Christmas plants at whychristmas.com. Tomorrow James will be back with a very special show. Don't miss it. Until then. I'm Steve Webb

Transcribed by https://otter.ai