The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-24

The burning OF tho Yule log is an an
cient ceremony, transmitted TO us by our
scandinavian ancestors. who celebrat, d
their feast of Jerul at the winter sostice
by kindling hugs bonnres in honor of
their god, Thor. Tho name Yule, signi-
flying wheel, was given 10y ancient Goths
ana Saxons because the feast or festival
was observed at the turning point of the
year.
The custom. though sadly shorn OF the
| pomp and circumstances, which formerly
attended il, is still maintained in many
parts of the land. The bringing in and
| placing of the ponderous block oh the
hearth of the wide chimney in the
baronial nall was the most joyous OF the
ceremonies observed on Christmas eve In
feudal times. The venerable log, destined
90 orackle welcome TO all comers was
drawn in triumph from It's resting place
at TIE feet Of It's Giving brethren OF the
woods" each way. farer barred his head as
il passed, for we'll he knew that it was
| full Of good promises and that its flame
would burn out old wrongs and henrt
burnings
According 10 Ecclesiastical computa-
ton the Christmas festival really begins
on the 10th of December, the day dis
tingusbed in the calendar as o sapi-
ontin, from tho anthem sung during Ad-
vent and continues until tho 1st of Feb
ruary, Candlemas Day. at which time
all the Christmas decorations must be
removed.
The whole OF the festival is still merry
| one abol nding in entertainments of ali
! sorts.
For a picture OF Christmas eve in the
olden times we can desire none more
graphic than that painted by Sir Walter
Scott in Marmion beginning On Christ
mos eve the nells were rung.
1t was customary TO carefully preserve
from year to year the halfconsumed log
or block, not only to light a new log at
the next anniversary with its charred
remains but to insure the house against
fire. 1t was considered n sign Of very Dad
luck for the people of the house If
squirting person entered the hall while
the log was burning or If a bare-footed
person appeared and above all ilat-
footed woman.
In many sections candle OF monstrous
size, called the Yule3 candle accompanied
the log and shed its light over the festival
board during tho evening.
The origin OF many of our Christmas
customs will cause Us to go far back long
before julius Caesar rested his foot on
! English soil.
In Devonshiro the Yule log takes the
form of the Ashton fagots. They are
brought in ana burned with alee. The
fagots consist of bundle OF ash sticks
bound or hOOpUd together With bands OF
the same tree: they are nine in number
The rods having been cut a few days
previously. the farm hands on Christmas
eve sally out bind them together, and
with the aid of one or two horses drag
the fagots TO their masters house, where
! they are placed on the hearth In the
kitchen. Master, his family aud servants
seat themselves on settles about the fire.
| place and meet on terms Of equality and
| join in all kind OF sports, Liberal liba-
| tioDs OF cider, cold or heated, spiced and
mixed with egg are supplied to all, 1t be-
! ing n custom to provide a fresh bowl at
| any crack Of brand In burning. Through
! out the middle ages and down to the
| period OF the Reformation, the festival
| OF Christmas engrafted on the pagan rites
| OF Yule continued to be observed with
great reioicings. On the adoption of
new faith such practices were condemned
as superstitious and unsoriptural.
| AT the present time Christmas II some-
what stript of its former gfurigs ana
noisterous jollty. Is still the holiday in
which all Glasses of the civilized world
participate. making almost realization
OF the angelic message:
GLORY 60 God I'm the highest and on
earth, peace, goodwill toward men,"