The winter solstice and the shortest day of the year, Yule is when the goddess gives birth to the god. This is also the Norse New Year.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
(Wiccan) Celebration of winter-born king symbolized by rebirth of the sun
The midwinter festival (winter solstice). A time for tales told around a warm hearth, special preserved foods, and heralding the new year. Many people exchange gifts on Yule 4 to celebrate the return of the sun, the gift of the Creator.
An ancient Celtic seasonal day of celebration at the time of the winter solstice. Depending upon the year, the solstice may fall on DEC-20 to 23. A popular minor Sabbat (holy day) observed by Wiccans and other Neopagans.
Yule is a winter festival celebrated in Northern Europe since ancient times. In pre-Christian times, Anglo-Saxon, Scandinavian and Germanic pagans celebrated Yule in late December or early January on a date determined by a lunar calendar.http://www.ealdriht.org/tide.html "The Anglo-Saxon Calendar" With the coming of Christianity and the adoption of the Julian calendar, Yule was placed on December 25 in order to correspond with Christmas.Snorri Sturluson, http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/598 Heimskringla, "Yule in Ancient Norway" The terms "Yule" (Joul) and "Christmas" are often used interchangeably, especially in Christmas carols. In Denmark, Norway and Sweden the term jul is still the most common way to refer to Christmas.