The customs are:
(origins!!!)
1.Candlelight Christmas Eve services
2. The Yule log
Thanks for your help!
2006-12-11 05:09:43 · 4 answers · asked by Reka 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Both come from pagan traditions. Since Yule is held at the Winter Solstice - the shortest night of the year - we burn candles throughout the night to symbolize the sun's rebirth (there are many Gods of the sun born to various pantheons and celebrated by different traditions) and to remind ourselves that the sun will be returning. The Yule log is also pagan in origin - Scandinavian specifically - and modern Pagans and Wiccans (who have access to a fireplace) will still carve into a Yule log symbols for prosperity, health, love, etc. and burn the Yule log throughout the night. A piece of the Yule log is kept to begin the Yule fire for the next year, as that is considered good luck.
)O(
2006-12-11 05:26:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Christmas season liturgically begins on Christmas Eve. The Mass of the Vigil is said in the late afternoon or early evening hours of December 24. The Christmas season continues through until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the Sunday following the Solemnity of the Epiphany.
Scandinavians began a tradition that is familiar to most; the Yuletide festival. Also fearful of the sun never to the return, scouts were sent to the mountain top to look for sunlight after five weeks of darkness. When first sight of light was rediscovered, they would return to their homes to spread the good news. The people celebrated by burning a Yule log over a fire as everyone feasted.
2006-12-11 05:16:34 · answer #2 · answered by sweetie_baby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_log
"Protestant churches have increasingly held Christmas candlelight services late on the evening of December 24. A special service of “lessons and carols” intertwines Christmas carols with Scripture readings narrating salvation history from the Fall in the Garden of Eden to the coming of Christ. The service, inaugurated by E.W. Benson and adopted at the University of Cambridge, has become widely popular."
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9082431/Christmas
2006-12-11 05:27:04 · answer #3 · answered by Bill Mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Yule log is Pagan, as Yule is one of our Sabbats on the 21st of December.
2006-12-11 05:13:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋