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Yule - The Feast of Odin....

Yule is the greatest feast of the year for it marks the changing of the seasons. Yule is the death of winter, and the true beginning of the New Year, and the warming of the green world, preparing to welcome the new life, which shall appear in the spring. Yule is the winter solstice, and is celebrated for one week either side of the solstice, which is called the Feast of Odin.

The circle at StoneHenge of course was laid out, not to align with the sunset at midsummer, but to align with the sunrise at midwinter, celebrate the birth of the new year.
The spirit of Yuletide is Odin, the Lord of Death, and the dedication of this feast is to Odin also. At this season he is known to walk amongst men in disguise as a wandering old man of wisdom, and a teller of tales. He will reward those who are hospitable and generous at this time. He will also reward dutiful and selfless children.
Even as he will reward those who are kind and generous, so his icy wrath will fall upon those who are cruel and selfish during the cold and dangerous weeks of winter. To refuse shelter or food to a traveller at this season could well mean his death.
Even today, with proper housing and the many fuels and forms of heating available. Many of those who are vulnerable will still die during this season, for their shelter, fuel and food will not be enough.
Against such cruelty and selfishness, Odin's reward is often a swift but horrible death in dishonour. One cruel Lord in ages past was forced to trip and fall upon his own sword, and another was frozen to the high seat he was so fond of. These are just two such rewards' which are recorded in the ancient tales of Odin's wonderings in the world of men, for those who would deny aid to those who were in dire need.
This day may also be called the Feast of Hodur, for it is the night when Hodur's influence and rule upon the world is at its greatest. As such, it is a time when men shall reflect upon the year which is now past, and dream about the year which now is before them.
It is a time for feasting and drinking with family and with beloved friends. It is a time for sharing, and for the telling of tales of the once ways of honour. Tales of heroes and of history. Tales of the gods and of the ways of Odin, and what he seeks in the men who follow him.
It is also a time for the giving of promises, and of betrothals. It is a good time for the ceremony of marriage and for the exchanging of vows and gifts. Marrages at this time

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