The Yule Log

An oldest Christmas tradition
Burning of the yule log
Manifest the binging of Christmas
In and around Christmas Eve
A big hard log brought home
Supposed to burn endlessly
Twelve days till early January

Yule the winter festival
Celebrated in Nordic countries
Its fire symbolized the light of sun
Started even before the first Christmas
Celebrating the winter solstice
In the Continent far west as Ireland
To the south as Greece

Yuletide a Scandinavian tradition
Rituals and ceremonies tied to yule log
Whilst darkness prevails
With mid- winter gloomy skies
Yule blessings and shimmering hope
To mark appearance of the sun
From the southern hemispheres

No work until the special log burns
Eventually get-togethers at homes
Families, neighbours and friends
To dine, wine and dance
Ritual feast for merry making that last
Personal blunders were burnt
To commence new year wisely

The celebration of First Christmas
Around the winter heights
In the fourth century
Continual of Yule log customs
Fire represented the light of the Saviour
Instead of the long traditional practice
Christmastide festivity continues

The Log never allowed to burn completely
A bit of it kept to start the next years' log
It brought god luck and bad predictions
To folks at home generally
Ashes are used in vineyards and orchards
To bear a good harvest in summer
Prosperity in the new year

Fire started with that bit left last year
To indicate the continuity
With eternal light of heaven specially
Caroling as the log brought indoors
Prayers for health and prosperity
English preferred a log from an ash tree
While other Europeans opted an oak tree

Fireplaces began to disappear in France
With contemporary designs
Age old tradition moved to the tables
To celebrate Yuletide cakes looked like logs
In England where long prevailed the traditions
With other Christmas goodies around the house
Yuletide tradition for warm and merry celebrations

Kapila Mendis