Саранцева Ирина Георгиевна, учитель английского языка, Саранцева Ирина Георгиевна, учитель английского языка, Носова Евгения Сер

THE YULE LOG БОЛЬШОЕ ПОЛЕНО, СЖИГАЕМОЕ В СОЧЕЛЬНИК

Burning a Yule log is probably the oldest Christmas tradition there is and gets its name from Scandinavia

It started even before the first Christmas.

So, often a very large "backstick" was chosen to ensure a nice long celebration..

On or about Christmas eve, the log was brought into a home or large hall.

It did require gathering family, friends and neighbors.

The log brought good luck.

It was never allowed to burn completely, a bit was kept in the house to start next years log.

If its flame cast someone's shadow without a head, supposedly that person would die within the year.

You have a choice.

Or if you don't have a fireplace, you can eat it like the French.

Or you can use a decorated log as a center piece like the Italian "ceppo".

You can light a special candle as they do in Denmark and Norway.

Grandfather places holly branches and says prayers over the Yule log.

The table is set for the ritual family celebrations

Sketch for a postcard
by P. Kaufman.
Black ink and watercolour.

And it surely looks like a real log!