Yule / Winter Solstice
A Primer for Nonpractitioners
Overview
[Source: Quoted from https://www.uua.org/worship/holidays/winter-solstice]
"Winter solstice is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Traditionally, it is a time of both foreboding and expectancy, as the longest night leads to the return of the sun. “Solstice” in Latin means “the sun standing still.”
The Winter Solstice has become important to both humanists and pagans, who can find common ground in celebrating this occasion. Themes can include light amid darkness; the death of nature and the cycle of life; the darkness just before the dawn; the miracle of every birth."
Dates
Dec 20-22, varies slightly each year.
Focus
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Celebrate the return of the light with the solstice
Stories and Figures
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Pagan Story Cycle
Common Customs
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Caroling
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Decking the Halls
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Yule Log
Learn More
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Through a UU Lens
Resources:
https://www.uua.org/worship/words/ceremony/292649.shtml
Yule Carols
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Carol of the Bells (started ukrainian pagan, switched to "merry christmas" lyrics, but can resub with "merry yuletide"
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#235 Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly (Yule song, predating Christmas)
Other Solstice Music
Music for Yule - Miguel Berkemeier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIIUKtVTON0
Hymn voice still and small #?
STLT #55 Dark of Winter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5fiEt8LOlA
#58 Ring Out, Wild Bells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbnsIydaYYg
o Ring out, wild bells, to the wild, wild sky, the flying cloud, the frosty light: the year is dying in the night; ring out, wild bells, and let it die.
o Ring out the old, ring in the new, ring, happy bells, across the snow: the year is going, let it go; ring out the false, ring in the true.
o Ring out the grief that saps the mind for those that here we see no more; ring out the feud of rich and poor; ring in redress to humankind.
o Ring out false pride in place and blood, the civic slander and the spite; ring in the love of truth and right; ring in the common love of good.