Yule is an ancient Germanic midwinter celebration better known today by the name Christmas. Being associated with the winter solstice, Yule is traditionally a twelve-day festival centered near the days of December 21st. Although Yule is a holiday of Germanic origin, the traditions and symbolism associated with it have been absorbed by the Christmas holiday and practiced in variations throughout the world. Similarly the Romans celebrated the Saturnalia: a festival of great significance on December 25th, the date that was adopted as the official date for Christmas. Due to Christianization, these similar holidays are now united throughout most of Western society as Christmas, but many of the traditions associated with it are of pre-Christian, and Heathen origin. (Read More)
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