Yules

Yules refers to a set of winter solstice celebrations historically observed by Germanic and Norse peoples, and in modern usage to the Christmas season or to the solstice itself, depending on context. The term comes from Old English geol or geóla and from Old Norse jól, with cognates in several Germanic languages. The plural form Yules is rarely used in everyday language but may appear in historical or scholarly writing.

Historically, Yule was tied to the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and to ritual activities intended to ensure daylight and fertility in the coming year. Customs varied regionally but commonly included seasonal feasting, communal singing, and the burning of a Yule log. Evergreen decorations such as wreaths and trees symbolized life enduring through the dark months. The festivities often extended beyond a single day, forming a season of celebration.

With Christianization, many Yule customs were absorbed into Christmas traditions, and the term Yule persisted mainly as a literary or ceremonial reference to the Christmas season. In contemporary pagan and reconstructionist groups, particularly some Ásatrú and Druidic circles, Yule remains a distinct solstice festival with rituals honoring the sun’s return and the year’s turning.

In general English usage, "Yule" is sometimes used as a synonym for Christmas, especially in formal or poetic contexts, whereas "Yules" is primarily of historical or scholarly interest. The term appears in phrases such as Yuletide to describe the Christmas season.