There are numerous Christmas customs, including secular, religious, national, and Christmas-related ones, which vary greatly between countries. The Christmas symbols and activities most people are familiar with, such as the Christmas tree, Christmas ham, Yule log, holly, mistletoe, and exchanging gifts, were all adopted by Christian missionaries from the early pagan winter solstice festival of Yule. Celebrations of the winter solstice were widespread long before Christianity reached Northern Europe, and the term "Christmas" in Scandinavian languages is still pagan today. The Christmas tree is believed to have originated in Germany. Pope Gregory the Great did not attempt to ban popular pagan festivals but allowed Christian clergy to re-interpret them with Christian meanings, allowing most customs to continue with only minor modifications, or even remain unchanged. A compromise between religious and governmental authorities and celebrants allowed Christmas to continue. In areas where Christian theocracy flourished, such as England under Cromwell and the early New England colonies, celebrations were banned. After the Russian Revolution, Christmas celebrations were prohibited for 75 years by the Soviet Communist regime. Even today, some sects, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, considered heretical by the Orthodox Christian Church, some Puritan organizations, and some extremely conservative Christian fundamentalist groups, still regard Christmas as a pagan holiday not recognized by the Bible and refuse to celebrate it.