Why is Christmas called Yule?
Yule comes from a name for a 12-day festival, celebrated by Germanic peoples, around the winter solstice in December and January. By the 900s (yes, that long ago), yule was already mapped on the Christian celebration of Christmas and its surrounding festivities.
What are the traditions of Yule?
Here are some customary ways to celebrate the solstice—you might notice that some resemble beloved Christmas traditions.
- Build a Yule Altar.
- Make an Evergreen Yule Wreath.
- Burn a Yule Log.
- Decorate a Yule Tree.
- Exchange Nature-Based Gifts.
- Give Back to Nature.
- Celebrate in Candlelight.
- Set up a Meditation Space.
Why do Christians celebrate Yule?
For the Vikings, Germanic tribes, and other peoples of pre-Christian Europe, this celebration was actually meant to honor the winter solstice. Known as Yule, the celebration commemorated the events of the waning year and honored the gods with a festival of song, food, drink, and sacrifice.
Why is Christmas considered a pagan holiday?
Though December 25 is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the date itself and several of the customs we’ve come to associate with Christmas actually evolved from pagan traditions celebrating the winter solstice. “In ancient Rome there was a feast called Saturnalia that celebrated the solstice.
What religion is Yule?
The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world.
What pagan holiday is Easter?
Well, it turns out Easter actually began as a pagan festival celebrating spring in the Northern Hemisphere, long before the advent of Christianity. “Since pre-historic times, people have celebrated the equinoxes and the solstices as sacred times,” University of Sydney Professor Carole Cusack said.
What does Yule symbolize?
Yule was originally a pagan holiday that became Christianized, though some communities still celebrate it as it was traditionally; it’s also similar to contemporary practices of Winter Solstice, since they both revolve around celebrating the rebirth of light and sunshine during the shorter, colder months.
What do Pagans do for Yule?
Most pagans celebrate Yule — the winter solstice Dec. 21, which is also the longest night of the year. Pagans keep a fire burning and light shining until the sun rises. “Christmas is the rebirth of the Christian king as the incarnation of God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XMClV5aHWg
