Winterfairy

Yule time is coming, and I am wondering where I shall go to seek my log this year to burn and warm my hearth through the longest of the nights. Of course I can always go to the nearest garage and buy a big bundle of logs - but that wouldn't be the same now would it. The hills around my village hold on to the remaining ancient oaks who have not gifted the ground with a twig as yet, but somewhere I'm sure an old grandfather tree has dropped such a gift. It would be nice if it snowed too - crunch crunch on the lanes - cold toes and billowing breath glittered with frost and the faint hummmm of a song I used to sing a long time ago.

Silence descends upon the hurried mind at winter solstice - sit and watch the flame light and warm and give us time to reflect and simply be.
I refer to two sites for information on the ancient practices and history, and it is perhaps wise to suggest that if there is nothing to add why write it:)

The Winter Solstice falls on the shortest day of the year (21st December) and was celebrated in Britain long before the arrival of Christianity. The Druids (Celtic priests) would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing. Oaks were seen as sacred and the winter fruit of the mistletoe was a symbol of life in the dark winter months.

It was also the Druids who began the tradition of the yule log. The Celts thought that the sun stood still for twelve days in the middle of winter and during this time a log was lit to conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/wintersolstice.shtml

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day, and longest night of the year, and is the traditional time to celebrate the truly important things in life: your family, your children, your home and looking forward to a wonderful year to come. Winter Solstice, although it is the longest night, (boasting more than 12 hours of darkness), it is also the turning point of the year, as following this night the sun grows stronger in the sky, and the days become gradually longer once more. Thus the Winter Solstice is also a celebration of rebirth, and there are many traditions that stem from this perspective.

http://brighterblessings.co.uk/articles/yule.htm