Yule begins today, coinciding with the Winter Solstice. This marks the shortest day and longest night of the year and celebrates the symbolic rebirth of the sun as the days begin to lengthen. It has its origins with Germanic and Norse peoples.
Many modern Christmas traditions, such as the Yule log, decorating with evergreen trees, holly, ivy, and mistletoe, and even the concept of the 12 Days of Christmas, have their roots in ancient Yule customs.