Have you ever wondered why kissing and mistletoe go hand in hand. Why is mistletoe forgotten the rest of the year and how did it ever become the symbol for kissing? Well, in order to understand its origin, you have to go back to ancient Scandinavia — to custom and the Norse myths: “It was also the plant of peace in Scandinavian antiquity. If enemies met by chance beneath it in a forest, they laid down their arms and maintained a truce until the next day.” This ancient Scandinavian custom led to the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. But this tradition went hand-in-hand with one of the Norse myths, namely, the myth of Baldur. Baldur’s death and resurrection is one of the most fascinating Norse myths and stands at the beginning of the history of mistletoe as a “kissing” plant.
I wonder if it would do everyone some good if we kept it up for more than a season in our homes? Do you think this small gesture could make the world a better place? Would families pay attention to it?
Now, for a crazier thought. What if it was hung in stores and office buildings and areas where hope is a foreign concept? And as people pass under it, they could possibly be the next winner of some prize that would make kissing strangers a big enough risk to take?
I am probably a hopeless optimist that believes the human race has goodness just waiting to shine thru. I by no means am saying there are not kind, compassionate people in this world. I am speaking more in generalities.
So, I ask again, mistletoe or not?
