Here is a tradition that was used in the past, to make this festival a special family occasion.....and involve all of the family
Traditionally....the Yule candle was a very large ornamental candle.....usually red,green or blue in colour, and should be large enough to last the entire Yule (Christmas) festival period...
The candle should only be lit and extinguished by the head of the household. It is probably best placed on a mantle over the hearth...or placed on a window sill at the front of the house.
The candle must be extinguished with a candle snuffer or a pair of tongs;to blow out the candle is said to bring bad luck.......
Each evening,...gather the family together and just read out a family prayer...and then light the candle.
Then again, just before bedtime...all gather together again and read the prayer once more.....before extinguishing the flame of the candle.
Sample Prayer
Let hope and peace come with this light
To illuminate and cheer the way.
For, from the darkness of the night
Will come a better-brighter day
Hope this idea helps to make your Yule special
You have some lovely suggestions for Yule rituals and traditions to follow Oakapple. I have a Yule candle which we burn each evening but have never said a prayer to go with it - please keep them coming. I'm making notes!! 🙂
Yule Paper Lanterns
You could make a paper lantern...and ask your guests to do the same...light a Yule bonfire...and from the bonfire, light a candle...pass this light around as each person lights their candle, say.... 'We celebrate the rebirth of light'..
At the end of the evening, throw these on the fire...as a sacrifice of light to light.
Don't forget to write your deepest wish on the inside of the lantern?
Invitations
If you are having a Yule party....get the kids to make the invitations in the shape of leaves...as a reminder that this is a time when the Lord of the Wildwood is reborn...
Deckies...
Get the kids to make paperchains and snowflakes out of white paper and deck the halls with lots of greenery and red berries.....rose hips are used, as well as Holly and Ivy....
Use Black candles as well as White ones....as this symbolises light coming out of darkness...
again thanks for your ideas you are a great friend and wise one
Ahhh paper chains and snowflakes - It will be me making them I think, not the kids.......and I'm 43! 🙂
oakapple - you have so many lovely ideas, thank you so much for sharing them!