Puzzle December 2020

Across

• 1 Tree's smothered in Christmas hangings (3)
• 3 Ultimately made angel trim tree (3)
• 5 Holly's partner decapitated Roman historian (3)
• 7 Make a noise about scripture and a king (5)
• 9 Test blast in tumbler (5-2)
• 11 Impale calling bird (4)
• 12 Wailing, perhaps, with everyone? (4)
• 13 Transport platter around in the morning when opening (7)
• 16 Former pet ruined amazing figure (11)
• 18 Everyone's seasonal legacy's unwrapped (3)
• 19 It pierces the first character with love for starters (3)
• 21 Put on solutions for transport in Judaea, perhaps (7)
• 23 Measure uniform in looted complex (4,3)
• 25 One hundred and fifty one thousand cacti spoiled ending (9)
• 27 Relish alcohol (5)
• 29 It could be pale with no head! (3)
• 30 Alternatively not covering other article (3)
• 32 Do this to the turkey and miscellaneous items (5)
• 34 It could be made with mince that's put under pressure (3)
• 35 Minister's six wheels (5)
• 36 A pound is what 35 might put on (3)
• 38 Celebration time for 5's other half, by the sound of it (7)
• 40 Flap about Noel air (7)
• 41 River rose out of control forming lake (9)
• 44 Leaves a little bit of liquid (5)
• 46 Richard put it under mistletoe (4)
• 47 Weapons destroyed Mars (4)
• 49 Shoot snob with smart top hat (5)
• 51 Father bearing roast (3)
• 52 With any luck, Santa might pay one to have meeting after five (5)
• 53 Open wide and say it after queue in audition (3)
• 55 Court another equal with grand design (10)
• 56 Assembly's persuasive about new metal (10)
• 57 Weird graduate's dance (5)
• 58 Get chasing good sparkle (7)

Down

• 1 A church is one (3)
• 2 Joint actor (3)
• 4 Carol's sweetheart went the way of this clue in the festive season (4,4,4,2,9)
• 5 Characters in choir expressed anger (3)
• 6 Ox starts to yawn about kiddie (3)
• 7 Tax dependent (6)
• 8 You expect to follow king and country (6)
• 9 Hit profits (3)
• 10 No right to pray for recompense (3)
• 14 Shaft left-winger engaged in sabotage (4)
• 15 Test alternative to aluminium (4)
• 16 Beast raised in shackles (3)
• 17 Outspoken second person is one that bleats (3)
• 18 Antidisestablishmentarian fringe article (2)
• 20 Watch only the first half (2)
• 22 You will shortly broadcast seasonal festivity (4)
• 24 Forget gag having lost head (4)
• 25 Fasten around listener's opening (8)
• 26 He leads Switzerland accompanied by pilot (8)
• 28 Dove’s call carries over our heads (3)
• 29 Help India in the period since Christ's birth (3)
• 31 Measure endless bells (3)
• 33 Tow broken down couple (3)
• 34 Tart with no bottom? Three and a bit! (2)
• 37 Live act (2)
• 39 Longing for money (3)
• 40 Tune fan (3)
• 42 Separate a few (7)
• 43 Staffs food bar associated with cereal (7)
• 45 Pulse could be split (3)
• 46 One is vocally weak (3)
• 48 Sixth day: rested! (3)
• 50 Poet's not quite finished poem (3)
• 51 Dad's secretary (2)
• 54 Broadcast shrill greetings (2)