The Yule log custom existed in most Europeans countries and dates back as far as the 12th century.
The
custom happened on Christmas Eve when an enormous log of freshly cut wood predictably
called the Yule log would be carried to the house amidst great ceremony.
It
would be placed on the hearth On Christmas Eve, by the master of the house
would make a traditional libation by sprinkling the trunk with a combination of
oil, salt and mulled wine and say an appropriate prayer.
If
possible, the young girls of the household would light the log with splinters
from the previous year’s log which would have been kept safely stored away. If
no young girls were available, the honor and privilege fell to the mother of
the house.
Superstition
says that the cinders of the burnt log should be kept to protect the house from
a variety of mishaps including lightning strikes and even protect against the
malevolent attentions of the devil.
The
tradition had all but died out by the end of the 19th century mainly
due to changes in the way houses were heated the magnificent hearths of the
great house began to be replaced by boilers of stoves and then in the 20th
century houses began to be built with no fireplace at all.
The
great Yule log has now been replaced by a small log decorated with candles,
holly and other Christmas embellishments to be placed in the center of the
Christmas table as a festive decoration.
Also,
today we have the marvelous Yule log cake which is a firm favorite it our house
made from a delicious Swiss roll cake covered in chocolate icing and sugared
decorations.
