The burning of the Yule log is an ancient Christmas ceremony transmitted to us from our Scandinavian ancestors who, at their feast of Juul at the winter solstice, kindled huge bonfires in honor of their god, Thor. The custom, though sadly shorn of the pomp and circumstance which formerly attended it, is still maintained in various parts of the world.

The bringing in and placing of the ponderous block on the hearth of the wide chimney in the baronial hall was the most joyous of the ceremonies observed on Christmas Eve in feudal times. The venerable log, destined to crackle a welcome to all-comers, was drawn in triumph from its resting place at the feet of its living brethren of the woods.

Each wayfarer raised his hat as it passed, for he well knew that it was full of good promises, that its flame would burn out old wrongs and hearthurnings and cause the liquor to bubble in the wassail-bowl to be quaffed to the drowning of ancient feuds and animosities. So the Yule-log was worthily honored and the ancient bards welcomed its entrance with their minstrelsy.

The half-consumed block was laid aside after having served its purpose on Christmas Eve, preserving it carefully in a cellar or other secure place till the next anniversary of Christmas and then lighting the new log with the charred remains of its predecessor. The due observance of this custom was considered of the highest importance, and it was believed that the preservation of last year’s Christmas log was a most effectual security to the house against fire.

Excerpts from Chambers’ Book of Days.