The Yule Log
Burning a Yule log is the oldest Christmas tradition there is. It started even before the first Christmas as a celebration of the winter solstice. Brought to England from Scandinavia, the Yule log tradition continued with the fire representing the light of the Savior instead of the light of the Sun. On Christmas eve, a big log was brought the to house. Songs were sung and stories were told. Personal faults, mistakes and bad choices were burned in the flame so everyone could start the new year with a clean slate.
The log was supposed to burn for the 12 days of Christmas. But, there were some rules. No squinting person or any flatfooted or barefooted woman could enter the room where the log burned. There also couldn't be any unnecessary work done until the fire went out.
Once the log was burned, a piece was saved to start the Yule log the next year. And ashes were kept under the bed as a good luck charm to protect the house from lightning and fire.
I got this from the Home 4 christmas site.
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