Ernest Sparks

An interesting fact: western christians originally set December 25 to be the feast of the nativity of Jesus Christ, while eastern christians set January 6 for the same thing. By the time of the church's legal enfranchisement in the fourth century, a compromise was struck and two feasts were decided: Christmas, for the nativity, and Epiphany. In the west, Epiphany was set to celebrate the Adoration of the Magi (the three kings with their gifts). In the east, Theophany (,as it is called there,) celebrated the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. According to the gospels, Father, Son and Holy Spirit all appeared there, manifesting all the divine persons at once. Both feasts celebrate God's revelation of His Son.

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I think I heard that yule trees weren't originally cut down, but decorated where they stood. They were apt to be oaks.