The Holly King
Forgotten The Meaning Of Christmas? Try Yule instead
Christmas is my favourite time of year. It really is. I love everything about it; the log fires, the Mince Pies, stirring the Pudding, giving and receiving gifts, the lights and smell of the Christmas tree, and even, I admit, the Carol services and the Christian message of hope, peace, and togetherness.
It saddened me then to hear the comments of a lady who was working behind the till in my local Spar shop a few days ago- “I’ll be so, so glad when it’s all over and I can relax...”
If this had been an isolated incident then I would have put her down for an old humbug, but unfortunately this attitude seems to be becoming quite endemic. At the risk of sounding like a Methodist Vicar in full flow, many really have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
If we wish to rediscover it again, then I think perhaps the answer lies in the past. We must travel back in time and discover the seed and birthplace of Christmas, which as much as I respect and enjoy Christianity, is arguably not in a stable in Bethlehem, but in that far more ancient mid winter celebration- Yule.
There is nothing wrong with celebrating the birth of baby Jesus, indeed I find it all rather enchanting, and even though, Mid Winter festival imposter (!) that it undeniably is; I personally would not do away with it now for all the world.
However, in the predominantly secular UK, I am not sure that the lure of religion alone is enough to tempt the vast majority of people away from their current commercialism, stress, and general desecration of Christmas.
Something more primitive is needed. Something that tugs on the humanity of the average person, something not so lofty, something that appeals to their baser instincts yet in doing so lifts them up...Yule!
So if you feel the urge to try to do too much at Christmas, to become an old humbug, or worse still, to become one of those consumerist sheep grabbing at January sales before the holiday period has even ended- invite a little “Yule” into your life by trying out, or even just reflecting on some of the following ancient traditions, which are far earlier than Christianity, but have been cleverly amalgamated into our modern Christmas.
The ancient spirit of Yule- what is it all about?
It is Mid Winter, the shortest day and longest night of the year. The reign of the Holly King, the God of the previous year, is ended, and the Sun King/ or Oak King, is born- completing an eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
(Note the similarities to the Christian story, where baby Jesus is born!)
The Holly King was traditionally portrayed as an old man with a flowing white beard, dressed in green and red. Does he remind you of anyone? Ho Ho ho!
The
Yule Log:
No, not the chocolate one...This is a special log, a large and magnificent log, especially selected in the summer to provide much needed heat for several days in the darkest, depths of Winter...This is a log to sit by, to dream by, to have merry conversation beside with family and friends.
There’s nothing quite as primeval, as instinctually fulfilling and peaceful as a real log fire. Find one/make one, and sit beside it; or failing that, light a candle or two and watch them flicker in the darkness.
“Brightly burns the Yule log tonight
Magic dances in firelight
Hold my hand and join the song
Raise the Sun King bright and strong
Dark is giving way to light
As brightly burns the Yule log tonight!
(Yule Chant Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys)”
Yule Singing/Wassailing
In Centuries past, wassailers went from door to door, singing to the health of their neighbours. The concept actually harkens back to pre-Christian fertility rites -- only in those ceremonies, villagers traveled through their fields and orchards in the middle of winter, singing and shouting to drive away any spirits that might inhibit the growth of future crops. As part of this, they poured wine and cider on the ground to encourage fertility in the crops. Eventually, this evolved into the idea of Christmas caroling, which became popular during the Victorian era, and is still seen today in many areas.
The Wassail Song (traditional English)
“Here we come a-wassailing
among the leaves so green.
Here we come a-wand'ring
so fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
and to all your wassail, too,
may the gods bless you, and send you
a Happy New Year,
the gods send you a Happy New Year.”
The Yule Boar
Far before the arrival of Turkey and Christianity, (a rather dry old bird!) it was customary to have a good feed up in the depths of Winter. On occasions such as this in wealthy households, a Boar’s Head, lavishly decorated was paraded in by the servants- amid much ceremony and general carousing! Later a goose was favoured, which may have come as a relief to some...
The Boar’s Head Carol
“The boar’s head in hand bear I,
Bedecked with bays and rosemary,
And I pray you, my masters, be merry,
Quot estis in convivio.
Caput apri defero,
Reddens laudes domino.”
Christmas is a time to batten down the hatches in the depths of Winter. It’s not a time to harvest or to sow, (or indeed shop!) but a quiet time in which one can simply relax and enjoy the bounty of your store-cupboard in the company of good friends.
Celebration, peace, singing, feasting, companionship, and a good warm fire- this is the spirit of Yule- let’s keep this ancient tradition firmly at the heart of Christmas, where it belongs.