The Festival of Yule

It's comforting that we didn't invent all the traditions that are taken for granted at Christmas. Some go back thousands of years, and understanding that just enhances the religious holiday. Otherwise, why on earth would we have a white owl, a fox and a chickadee on our Christmas tree along with the angels? It's all about nature.

The winter solstice is coming up on December 21, but it was once known as the Festival of Yule. The pagans believed the "wheel of the year" stood still at the solstice, and to celebrate the return of light folks shared their stored food, gave gifts, had parties, lit bonfires and decorated their houses with evergreens. Sound familiar?

The calendar year circle is also the origin of Christmas wreaths, made with holly and ivy to protect the household. Yule time was a season, not a day. In ancient times, the fun finally came to an end on Twelfth Night, or January 5th. We're well into our diets and resolutions by then. But so many ancient beliefs have been seamlessly merged into our Christian celebrations. The wheel keeps turning.