Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 22, 2025
To-night the blazing Yule-log, his mother's face how white her hair was growing, thought Doctor Ralph with a sudden tightening of his throat all of these memories had strummed forgotten and finer chords.
Thus the custom is almost exactly parallel to that of the Yule-log, which in parts of Germany, France, England, Serbia, and other Slavonic lands was commonly of oak-wood. The general conclusion is, that at those periodic or occasional ceremonies the ancient Aryans both kindled and fed the fire with the sacred oak-wood.
Probably this last property has its genesis in the belief that live-coals from the yule-log may be placed on the linen cloth spread for the Great Supper without setting it on fire a belief which prudent housewives always are shy of putting to a practical test.
Grace always is said before the Great Supper a simple formula ending with the prayer of the yule-log that if another year there are no more, there may be no less. It is the custom that this blessing shall be asked by the youngest child of the family who can speak the words: a pretty usage which sometimes makes the blessing go very queerly indeed.
Infused into a much-esteemed country-side medicine, the yule-log ashes add to its efficacy; sprinkled in the chicken-house and cow-stable, they ward off disease; and, being set in the linen-closet, they are an infallible protection against fire.
"It's only when life's fires are burning pretty low that we may venture to stir the coals and knock off the ashes a little. "For myself, I don't mind confessing, Humphrey, that there have been women Don't start; there isn't even a Yule-log smouldering on my heart's hearth to-day. I can stir the smoking embers safely.
Among them I recognized the young fellow whom we had met with his wife carrying away the yule-log; and found that all of them were workmen upon the estate who either being married or having homes within walking distance were to be furloughed for the day.
One by one the vassals were called up there was a strong flavour of feudalism in it all and to each, while the Vidame wished him a "Bòni fèsto!" the housekeeper gave his Christmas portion: a fougasso, a double-handful each of figs and almonds, a stalk of celery, and a bottle of vin cue the cordial that is used for the libation of the yule-log and for the solemn yule-cup; and each, as he received his portion, made his little speech of friendly thanks in several cases most gracefully turned and then was off in a hurry for his home.
The children began to talk again of the Yule-log, and to wonder what gifts Noel would bring to place under each end of it; for these little folks, who have no stocking-saint like our Santa Claus, believe in another quite as good, who rains down sugar-plums in the night. Everywhere there was a joyful bustle.
The bringing in of the Yule-log was a Norse custom observed in honour of Thor, from whose name we derive our word Thursday or Thor's-day. The mighty log was drawn into the baronial hall with great pomp, while the bards sang their songs of praise and chanted "Welcome Yule."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking