The ABC's of Christmas ~ Y
Welcome to another ABC's of Christmas. Today's letter isY.
is for...
Yule log and Yuletide.
The Yule log is an ancient tradition that has its roots in celebrations of the winter solstice. Later it also began to have connotations with not only the light of the sun, but also the light of Christ, to give it religious symbolism.
In England, a log so large that it had to be dragged by horses would be brought into great country houses and burned for the twelve days of Christmas. A remnant of the log would be kept to light the next year's log. The lighting of the log on Christmas Eve would commence the celebrations of Christmas.
Yule or Yuletide is a festival observed by historical Germanic peoples. It is celebrated with gatherings that involve a meal and gift giving. It
later underwent Christianized reformulation resulting in the term Christmastide. {Wikipedia}
Please come back tomorrow for the final letter of the ABC's of Christmas, the letter Z.
Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi
Christmas is an event that one carries in one's heart, not just one day a year, but all year round. - unknown
Welcome to another ABC's of Christmas. Today's letter isY.
is for...
Yule log and Yuletide.
The Yule log is an ancient tradition that has its roots in celebrations of the winter solstice. Later it also began to have connotations with not only the light of the sun, but also the light of Christ, to give it religious symbolism.
In England, a log so large that it had to be dragged by horses would be brought into great country houses and burned for the twelve days of Christmas. A remnant of the log would be kept to light the next year's log. The lighting of the log on Christmas Eve would commence the celebrations of Christmas.
Today this practice is not so common, although it is often honoured in the way the French do, with a Buche de Noel, a chocolate cake shaped and decorated to look like a log. { Excerpt from The English Home}
later underwent Christianized reformulation resulting in the term Christmastide. {Wikipedia}
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Already? The 26 letters of the alphabet are nearly all accounted for. The ABC Countdown was a lovely way to mark off the days to Christmas. Such a festive and special way. Thank you, Sandi!
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you a beautiful day...
Brenda xox
Thanks for sharing the interesting background about the Yule log!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting about the Yule Log! I didn't know that history. We used to make what we called "yule logs" out of old magazines, rolled up very tightly and tied with string, and then soaked in a solution of something, I don't know what it was (should look it up), until they were soaked clear through, and then dried. When burned in the fireplace they would give off beautiful colors. I wonder now if they fumes could have been toxic...? Anyway, that was something I remember my parents doing a few times when I was little. That yule log cake looks good! I guess we don't hear the term "yuletide" much anymore, except in old Christmas carols. Thank you for these wonderful posts through the alphabet. I've missed a few, so may still go back and get caught up. Merry Christmas and Happy Yuletide!
ReplyDeleteYule---also comes from Scandinavia...where Jule, Julen, and Jul is Christmas and said with the 'Y' sound. The Viking settlers in the British isles brought their mix of pagan rituals to mix with the customs in Britain were still mixed Pagan and Christian. So, enjoyed this series and it is the first thing I opened each morning. Hugs, Sandi
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