The Germanic Origins of Yule 

As of 2020, I no longer agree with all the views presented in this video. In particular, the connection between Santa and Odin which I put forward is something of a stretch, as is the part connecting Yggdrasil with the Christmas Tree. Aside from that, I believe the video is still mostly informative, so I will leave it up for the time being.

Great and informative video!

I'd say modern santa is not only Odin mixed with Saint Nick but also some green man as well as siberian shaman

Have you studied the similarity of Santa Claus, his garments and the flying reindeer with the Sami Culture. The Sami traditional robes look very much like the popular image of Santa Claus. I know there is a documentary out there somewhere that has drawn upon these similarities.

Almost all of our modern Christian holidays are rooted in ancient pagan traditions. They are still with us, only relabeled with origins forgotten. Traces of pagan Europe are all around us. Tuesday = Tyr's Day (Teutonic God) Wednesday = Woden's Day . (Teutonic God) Thursday = Thor's Day . (Teutonic God) Friday = Freya's Day (Teutonic Goddess)

Happy Solstice!🎄✨❄️🎅🏻

Christ wasn't even born in Winter. Archaeologists and historians believe he was born in the spring. Happy Yule everyone !

Who here celebrates Yule? Merry Jol! Greetings from an American Asatruar! 🇺🇸 🇸🇪 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

Great upload! I'm Swedish, born and raised, and the big goat being subject to arson like every year is both legit and hilarious. This Julbock (Yule Buck/Goat/Ram) is set up in Gävle and called Gävlebocken. Also, we call the gnomes or Santa's helpers "nisse" as well, just like the Danes and Norwegians - we don't know what "Pumpin" is. God Jul!

Happy Yuletide

Skal brother! Hail Odin! And have a happy yule

I am a Celtic Irish pagan and celebrate the festival of Yule.

The Celts are normally more associated with Samhain or Halloween, but the Druids and their followers often left offerings and decorations in the branches of the sacred Oaks. So it's not much of a stretch to think that decorations on the Christmas tree can be traced back to that pagan Celtic tradition.

*Christmas is a Christianize Pagan Holiday to help convert Europe by replacing Pagan Festivals.* *1) Saturnaia 2) Kolida 3) Epiphany 4) Yule [Of Course]* 1. *Saturnalia* is a Roman Holiday honoring Saturn on the 25th of December where there was a role reversal between slaves and the Roman elite. 2. *Kolida *a Slavic Winter Festival featuring Caroling, Bonfire, Music, Dancing, and a Decorated Evergreen. 3. *Epiphany* the day Jesus was baptized or Three Kings Day >>Christmas was banned in America by the Puritans out of fears it was Pagan until the 1800s in some states. >>Christmas became popular in America thanks to *Charles Dickens a Christmas Carol book* >>Santa was introduced to America by the book *Twas the Night Before Christmas* *1) St. Nick 2) Father Christmas 3) Sinter Clause 4) Jolupuki 5) Odin* Coca Cola gave Santa his Red Suit (Jesus was probably born in Spring)

About the trees: the xmas tree is a representation of the yule log. It is still wood that is burning during the time of darkness, but now with lights instead of real fire.

I noticed that you didn't touch upon Krampus at all? I thought he was an old Germanic tradition as well? Among the Pennsylvania Dutch plain people, there is a version of Krampus, but I don't recall his name. He's become a victim of political correctness though, as he is traditionally a rather garishly dressed figure in blackface.

The only problem I see with this is the interpretation of the Christmas Tree as Yggdrisil. We know that Yggdrisil was an Ash tree not an evergreen. The evergreen is a symbol of the eternal soul. The soul never dies it is only passed from one body to another i.g. Reincarnation. This is what the druids taught.

Great video. Great info. I have problems with the music and back ground noise over shadowing your voice and I strain to hear your words at points. If you could Please make your voice louder as I really want to hear what you have to say. Thank you.

And this is why I still love Yule/xmas. The pagan origins are way more appealing than the Christian hijacked holiday.

Germanic Yule 1, Christianity 0

Fact: Yule was Not celebrated on the the Winter Solstice. It was celebrated on the the Full Moon following the first New Moon After the Winter Solstice. King Haakon changed the celebrated day to the Winter Solstice so pagans would have to celebrate the same day as Christians. Christmas was celebrated on the Winter Soltice according to the old Julian calander, this was changed to the 24/25 with the Gregorian Callender. Yule was a 3 day holiday, not 12.

In sweden we celebrate jul (Yule)

I consider myself a pagan but the sacrificing of animals especially horses absolutely disgusts me.

The story of Nicholas giving three bags of gold as gifts for dowries is why he is the Patron Saint of Pawn brokers. It's why you see 3 gold balls (bags) in the signs of many hock shops.

Why are you whispering through the whole video? Be enthusiastic or you'll put your audience to sleep.

I believe that it is NOT centered around Christianity. but Yule or Christmas ... Christians latched onto it needing a place for Christ birth...as in the video ..it 🌟 started long before .... as a pagen holiday.... just my opinion...........

Also look at the traditions of Thor's Oak

Could you list the songs played in this video? Thanks.

The music you used in this did my soul good, awesome video dude

Great video, I just have 1 point of criticism, no offense. We should always keep in mind, that the word germanic/german never truly referred to any distinct or homogenous ethnicity. Rather it refers to a group of people speaking the same language or languages of the same branch of the Indo-European family, people sharing common culture, beliefs and traditions. Please try not to use the word "Teutons" interchangeably with "Germans/Germanic People(s)"... The name Teutons (having eventually evolved into "Deutsche" (Germans)) generally refers to a specific germanic tribe during the migration period. Because some germanic speaking people invaded other lands (among others the Teutons) all germanic peoples became known as "Teutons" to many outsiders, but it always was wrongly used that way and never used at all by Germans themselves. Furthermore, especially in Germany, where I live, the word Teuton - unless properly used to describe the tribe - has strong associations with Nazism. As a German reconstructionalist Pagan (inspired mainly by the Old Saxons, who lived where I live) I try to avoid those associations, since I hate how the Nazis abused, exploited and twisted our ancient faith, misusing and besmirching words and thoughts and the very concept of germanic paganism.

I can't imagine how terrifying living back then must of been with little or no knowledge of science. You were pretty much thrown into a new world with only the gods to ask for help. Must of been very brutal without modern medicine and common knowledge today.

I loved this video...Beautiful images and voice. I'm sitting here in my red nisse hat and fuzzy robe next to my Christmas tree this cold morning with a hot cup of coffee and a big ol' piece of my Grandmothers recipe (best in the world) fruitcake I made last night, watching this lovely video. I love our traditions.❤️

Happy Yule! Blessed be. 🌛🌕🌜

Merry Yule and may Odin bless us everyone! 🍻🔥🎄🎁

Every year the sun gets high in summer, low in winter (northern hemisphere) . Yule is celebrating the return from darkness to light. Especially in Northern, i.e. extra dark and cold countries. Then and now. Not too complicated to understand...

Ah! I have many delightful memories of Christmas trees. I remember our cat Weedie used to lie under the tree and enjoy all the Christmas music. He was quite content, and sometimes I sat opposite the tree just gazing at it and Weedie.

You completely left out the ultimate wild card, Iceland, that has an entire tradition of its own.

Loved that you used Wardruna's music.

Happy Yule and Blessed Be

Yalda is the holiday we celebrate in Iran it's longest night of year . It's mithra . Born of mithra or Mehr . Also Christians took with Sunday as holiday , sun day . It's sun worshiping you know so most of humans are worshiping sun and moon and other wondering stars without knowledge

God Jul! 🎄

Go back a little further in history to the Sami. Joulupukki. Sami "The Reindeer people"

USA cartoons...Walt Disney...claim Father Christmas lives at the North Pole. Finish Culture says he lives in North Finland, and Swedish people says he live in North Sweden. Always remember that Odin was given the Sacred Runes/The Futhark while hanging on the world tree Yggdrassil(the original cosmic Christmas tree) for 7 years! Have a look at the Runes on You Tube.......used as a basic language in England Germany and Scandinavia until 12th cent. Frohliche Wiehnachten. Happy Yulefest! ISLAM=I Steal Lie And Murder.

Have a merry Yuletide, my pagan brethren. Odin blessed!

Ahh it's almost the Beautifull time again I'm glad for my Germanic heritage and have a great Jul!!

good video and pictures but you should get a better mic if you got the money.Greetings from a Catholic Croat.

Does anyone the song that starts at 15:07

I'm Asatru and I celebrate Yule.

i always hated that the first thing a conquering people did was to impose their gods on the people and erase the indigenous religion. sometimes they merge i guess...but as a very western european descendant i lament the loss of my peoples ancient faith. i was raised christian and am still trying to find my relationship with god...or odin if you like..either way i think all people should have the rite to worship whatever they are drawn to.whatever gives you that feeling only religion can give. i sometimes think about what the early eurpoean and norse tribes must have gone through during the conversion to christianity. how hard that must have been for them to slowly rationalize the forced transition. i think everyone has a deep rooted wanting and understanding of the spiritual part of themselves and i think a lot of violence stems from the fear of being "wrong" in their belief. i pray to a christian god but i rationalize it as being the form of worship i was brought up with. those things have a sacred place in my mind. few things are as precious as ones cultural identity and their customs and beliefs. its who we are. its no surprise that this one topic has caused the most problems in the world. my only real wish is that everyone finds something to believe in and gets the comfort of some form of faith. for me "faith" was and is, the hardest part. but in general i think its an exercise in every religion. "faith" in the god or gods you pray to. ritualistic worship and veneration and practices to keep your relationship with your people and your god or gods in your mind at all times. to remind us at every turn that we are in fact a part of something greater than ourselves. that everything means something... great video and great music choices btw! i thought i heard some Wardruna in there?

Just a friendly heads up, the "fae" isn't really a "Celtic" term. Each Celtic culture had it's own interpretations and understanding of land spirits. The Irish had the Sidhe, the Welsh had the Tylwyth Teg and it can go on from there. In the Irish tradition, they were associated with the Tuathe De Danaan. Fae short for Faery is an anglicized form which bears little historical relevance to the actual mythology.

Just shows you Xmas was not a Christan holiday ment for Christ or Catholicism.....but a time to enjoy & celebrate the coming season ....Ha. Ha..........

It is easy to see the link between Santa Claus and Odin when you look at Sint Nicolaas in the Netherlands. They are both in the darkest time of winter riding on a horse in the air. Judging over good and bad, making people scared,but also giving good fortune or presents.......It is again I think the Pagan tradition,being overtaken by a Christian tradition, both I love and both should be remembered in my opinion....There are way more traditions around midwinter that are Pagan...

Damn those germans come up with great things!

Winter is coming

It´s not only about Woden but also about Thunar (Thor). He was known in heathen times as the gift bringer, not Woden.

Anyone who reads scripture should know that the celebration of pagan festivals and mingling of religious beliefs and practices is forbidden in the word. Believers should never celebrate Christmas or Easter, they have nothing to do with the messiah.

GutenYule! "2020"

The custom of tree worship goes waaay back into ancient times in fact the ancient Israelites were being warned off by their prophet Jeremiah 10:2&3 !

Christianity has never sat right with me, this video only further's that truth.

I actually heard the music from the Wild Hunt one time after Halloween. It was the strangest most ethereal sound coming from the sky for a minute and I became afraid and hid.

Very well done! All you're telling here in this video, are still facts up here in the northern Europe. We have our Jul, our Tomte, our Halmbock etc. And our Trees... And I can also tell you, we still got people who see Oden, Tor, Frey and all the others, as the only true thing, don't accepting the Christianity, which was once imposed upon us by the Catholic Church... oh yes, the "asa-tron" still exist! Thank you very much for this!

Happy Yule! Everyone!

Christmas is not Christian. It is a pagan practice.

Islam, Judaism, Christianity, these are foreign religions of the southern one-god cults. We are not Arabs or Jews, we are Germanic, Norse, Celt, Gael, we are pagan.

God Jul 🎄

The Birth of Christ is Christian. Yule traditions have piggybacked onto our Faith-filled devotions and worship. Catholics never call Christmas "Yule." The Enlightenment protagonist who wrote "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" consciously wrote his poem to entwine St. Nicholas with Odin, to insult honoring the saint. Martin Luther restored the use of Christmas trees. Catholic nations don't use Christmas trees, but have Nativity displays.... Germanic stubbornness is not a thing to be proud of, for it also led to 2 World Wars, against the advice of priests and bishops.

Maybe the Vikings had a lot to do with the holiday

About the Yule Goat....I think the "Vandalism" has now become part of the "Tradition".

Excellent coverage! Thanks! Happy Winter Solstice. And Merry Yule!

In Holland we celebrate both. St nicholas. 5/6 dcember and christmass. Both have aspects of the other. Putting our shoe during st nicholas, with something for the horse, is actually from Yule. And was meant for Sleipnir, not Nicholas his horse. The black pete's are actually "Krampus". But they used to portray them way more evil (search black pete/krampus at images. In some regions in Europe they still dress up morr like krampus than the more duyh "black pete's". And iits actually Odin who used to ride trough the night screaming, and it became "ho ho ho". The christmas tree didnt started at that time. It always existed. It existed way before christianity, and BECAUSE its still used during christmas is proof how deeply rooted this was, and that St Nicholas couldnt erase it, unlike many other of our traditions which they (the church) succesfully erased. The christmas tree is the only one who doesnt lose its "leaves" (needles" and is a symbol for fertility and the coming year. But it also has a deeper meaning. For that one i recommend to watch the video at Marie Cachet' her channel. She explains everything even to thr christmasballs. In the tree.

@ 15:07 this video goes into the origins of the modern Christmas Trees, but goes on to say that the tradition may be a century if not more --- more is an understatement --- Try Millennia {yes plural} The earliest known written reference to this tradition predates Christianity in its entirety. In fact, it is a passage in the Old Testament of the Bible; where Jeremiah warns the children of Israel to not partake in the traditions of the neighboring nations. --- Jeremiah 10: 1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. --- Here, in the passage above, we see this tradition goes back not just centuries, rather, at least 2,600 years, in the middle east. As previously noted ~ that is just the earliest written Known reference. It could, and likely does, go back much further. . . .

Can someone please send this to Kirk Cameron?

Climate Change has changed the harsh winters though...

My father was from Silesia, and he told me that there, the custom was to decorate a living fir tree outside the house, so had nothing to do with the hearth or home. Happy Yule everyone.!

Well done brother and Yuletide Greetings to all

Trees must be sacred in every culture . Excepting our own

Really well put together. Thanks. Anyone that could point me to the music heard in this video? Great choice of music.

I’m originall from the states. The Jul here in Sweden is much MUCH cosier than anything we had growing up. I absolutely love the holidays here. However since early 2000’s I have seen a slight erosion of Swedish holiday culture and the SHOPPING is taking over more and more as years go on. Nice vid.

So Santa is a fanfic mashup

Seasons greetings and happy yul everyone 🎅🎄🎅🎄

It's an and/or holiday season; a brilliant mix of pagan and Christian sentiments, but solstice none the less

I love the hall with the fire in the middle, reminds me of some of the jarls homes in skyrim. Merry Yule.

Good video. Bad audio

So Yule/Christmas is ultimate multi cultural celebration? Paving the way for globalization from the start? Edit: i think the Yule Goat is the coolest!!

Christmas = Yule + Saturnalia

The House spirits in England are called bogarts

Once again, the music is louder than you are. People when you teach, cut out the music in the backgrounds. It is annoying. I am moving onto another video where I can hear the narration.

Beautiful rendition from a German point of view - the tree plays large in other traditions also - in the Bible it is the Tree of Life.

What a very pleasing voice you have!

for more info look into shamanic origins of christmas/yule as well as easter

What about Krampus? Is this German too?

Would be easier to hear without the music.

He left out the human and child sacrifice and the eating of those sacrifices. A possible source of the viking phenomena of going "berserk" in battle. Heaven help us all.

Just finished our Julfest at our viking camp. On my channel i represent the Viking age. Nice video. Happy new year.

Wasn't Odin hung on an evergreen tree for 9 days ?

Personally, I much like the idea of the figure of Santa Claus deriving from Odin!

It seems since a tree represents trees in the garden, or the family tree in our familial structure, or even the spine in the body, or the cross Itself, cutting down trees and dragging into a house to decorate, just to have them dry out and tossed in a garbage pile after the festive season, seems a metaphor.

Couldn't Enjoy at All because of the horrible Modern Christmas "Music!" Jingle bells ad nauseum! 🤮🤮🤮

The children singing is so loudly distracting from the story that I had to stop listening. Too bad because I would have loved to have heard the complete story.

Actually saint Nick never existed, the Catholic church has admitted he was a fabricated saint to represent Odin, they just added their little twist and claimed he was a saint.