Yule Log- A burning of devotion

How do you like the idea of making a rich collection of words that are associated with Christmas time? Fun, Family, Friends, Santa Claus, Stockings, gifts, Ivy, Yule Log and the list goes on.

Yule Log and Christmas

The world has embraced Yule log to be one of the significant part of Christmas celebration. The burning of Yule log symbolizes fortune and affluence for the coming year.

Burning of Yule Log has a story….

• Origin-
  The custom of burning Yule log has its origin at Scandinavia where it was burnt in order to please God Thor once a year. It can be said that the burning of Yule log has its origin in the winter festival of Europe. It has also an association with the Solstice festival named as JOL. It is known to be a feast to honor Norse God, Odin who is known to god of intoxicating drink. Later with the advent of Christianity the custom was incorporated into Christianity.
• Tradition-
  The tradition has it that the Yule log is placed on the hearth and people light it on the Christmas day with a silent prayer that it should burn longer. The presence of all family members is customary. But in some families the female members have the privilege of lighting the log. The longer the Yule burns it is believed to bring in brighter fortune for the family. But it is interesting to note that different kind of wood is used by different kind of people and the rituals also tend to differ according to the geographic locations.
• Comparative study of tradition according to geographic locations….

United Kingdom Vs France-

United Kingdom uses oak wood for the purpose of Yule burning and the dried bark of the tree is taken home by the people and it is generally believed that shepherd burnt oak wood to keep Joseph and Mary and their son Jesus warm. While at France people cut small pieces of the log and burn them during the twelve day celebration of Christmas. Holland also follows the same tradition but the difference is that they store the log under the bed.

Yule log has gained importance with the passage of time and today it one of the essential customs for Christmas celebration.
Yule log cakes are also famous and are considered to be a must. Thus, it can be understood that each and every custom associated with Christmas has its own importance and the age old customs are kept alive even in the 21st century. Well, this is evident from the very fact that New York’s WPIX TV broadcasts a very popular series of Yule log burning during the Christmas season.