Yuletide, Christmastide

Have you ever wondered why we sing of the Twelve Days of Christmas in an old and well known Christmas carol? Or the singing of “yuletide carols being sung by a choir” from another familiar Christmas song? How about “good tidings we bring” in yet another Christmas carol? Have you ever wondered why we celebrate with a Christmas tree?

Yule, or winter solstice, is a midwinter festival usually celebrated on December 21 and the period of 12 days after, as a time of year when the sun reaches the lowest point in the sky, bringing the longest night of the year. It is a time for introspection and a cleansing of our spiritual walk through this labyrinth of life. This is a good time to reflect on the past and look to creating our future in the coming time. It is a time to celebrate the return of light and life as the days become longer, bringing rebirth from darkness to light.
Some celebrate yuletide by purging those things in life that are no longer needed, used, or even wanted. This purging creates new space to fill with new memories and new creations, while leaving the old worn out baggage of unneeded energies behind. This purging allows us to move forward into the new light with an open heart.

The celebrating traditions of yule, which began to merge into what are now today̕s Christmas traditions, began with the rise of Christianity in England. Nowadays yuletide and Christmastime usually refer to the same season of celebration as one and the same. And so, we can see why we have the Twelve Days of Christmas or that we sing yuletide carols or that we bring good tidings. Over time, yule celebrations during this holy time began to include decorating evergreens (perhaps our Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths), feasting (the holiday feast Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), exchanging gifts (Christmas gift-giving time) and lighting candles. Don’t forget the yule log, as that too is part of the original celebration. Regardless of any religious backgrounds, winter solstice or yule, as we speak of it here, is a time when we gather with our loved ones to celebrate.

In this time of celebration, regardless of religion or belief, we as a human family have the opportunity to open our hearts and our minds and remember that we are indeed one family.

Love thy neighbor, be kind to one another, help others when we can, give from the heart, learn patience, honor others with respect. One more thing we have an opportunity to do is to look beyond the human form, look beyond those things that appear to be shortcomings in others, ignoring the differences, and look to the heart and soul and know that each of us is a precious jewel and expression of that which created us. Now is the time we have an opportunity to drop our opinion and live from the beauty of who and what we are in the real Reality. And if you have a disagreement with someone, ask yourself if you would rather be right or happy.

Wishing you all beautiful holidays and a peaceful heart.