Yule-Tide in Many Lands

e Temple, ca

of great O

with Thor supr

the Aryans. They were sun-worshipers and believed the sun was born each

mitive people feared that he would eventually be overco

stronger, they felt that he had been born again. So it came about that at Hweolor-ti

-European ancestors, we find the origin of

Yule

sia. Going through Russia to Saxland (Germany), he conquered that country and left one of his sons as ruler.

ficult to follow him in his wanderings. As Wodin, he established throughout the northern

e until he found it growing on an oak-tree "on the eastern slope of Valhalla." He cut it off and returned to the place where the gods were amusing themselves by using Balder as a target, hurling stones and darts, and trying to strike him with their

r lay Balder de

n swords, axes, d

Gods in sport

m no weapon pi

ast stood fixt

which Lok th

d unwitting

one had Balder'

hew Arnold's

during their peace-stead, which was never to be desecrated by deeds of violence. The season was supposed to be one of peace on earth and good-will to man. This is generally attribute

ave"; the terms we

, sent gifts back from the realm of darkness into which he had fallen. However, it probably is from

en the first new growth was discovered it was gathered by the white-robed priests, w

ological circles when one was offered as a gift to Frey, god of rain, sunshine, and the fruits of the earth. This boar was a remarkable animal; he could run fas

n, as he was the first to teach mankind the art of plowing. Because

boar, was served. Huge pieces were apportioned to the deceased heroes and the meat had such a revivi

ats' milk and honey was provided for the f

able deeds of courage and valor as they tossed off horn after horn of mead and ale. Each time their mighty valor grew until th

ented the approach of age and kept the gods

ncient people who feasted, drank, and danced in honor o

of a Son who brought light and new life into the whole world, they endeavored to retain as many of the

asion from the birthday of the sun to that of the Son. For a while the birth of Christ was celebrated on dates varying from the first to the sixth of January; on the dates

cember, and by the end of the fifth century that date was very generally accepted by Christians. The transition from the old to the new significance of Yule-tide was bro

l served as decorations of the season, not as a shelter for fairies, a

which it was called by the primitive peoples, still gladdens the hearts of mortals at Yule-tide by "turning

ecially for those of Yule-tide. The Fathers of the early church showed rare wisdom in retaining the customs of these ant

dest, on record. It is mentioned by Tacitus in the First Century,

-fellowship. All grudges and hard feelings were to be forgotten. Sacrifices of cake, wine, and incense were to be made to the two-faced god who looked forward and backward. Men of letters

ch first to December twenty-fifth. It was as late as the Sixteenth Century before the date of January first was universally accepted as the New Year by the

onfires to burn out the old year and destroy all evil connected with its past. Light

me. The Protestant covers the Christmas tree with lighted candles and builds a glowing fire on the hearth. The innate love o

Light, father

out that day wh

iding months,

oms of a so

and is read

e in a real

af's Ch

gave Christian

AF'S CH

eim, Olaf

ells of Yul

in his ban

the nut-b

earded Ber

ta

his Yule-

h Bishops a

n filled up

was never

a-man's tal

r

rinking-ho

f the cro

and muttere

Berserks

gn of the H

the

of the fire

and hauber

n the eyes

s to Halfre

d, wrinkled

in

e a son

ord in ev

hall be th

ned the belt

t of the si

sw

ter of Hak

at a strok

ne through

dth of Thoral

r so broad

so t

ld took his

hrough the

of that sh

-strings a c

ere struck w

a s

erserks r

orth in

the raft

th their fist

, "Long liv

the

ing said,

e bright

sures and

d the Scal

er 't was

e ti

Olaf raise

ross-shape

, "Do no

the gain an

mer or Chr

oo

the Scald

e of the L

t was cr

went round

me of Chri

di

the wast

nday su

driving mi

lifting o

se-cloud

cea

hining w

owy cros

lt of the l

foaming c

rks drank

he L

dsworth L