Reply #18: Yule is not secular -

[Che_Nuevara]

It's the name for the (Celtic/Nordic) pagan festival of the solstice, or in some places at some times celebrated just after (the 24th). It was a feast day in Scandanavia, Gaul, Iceland, etc.

The secular usage of the word "Yule" began as a rip by the Church to overshadow the solstice festival.

Ham is a traditional Christmas dish because of the sacrifice to Freyr.
The burning of the Yule log and the hanging of holly represent the death of the Holly King at the hands of the Oak King.
etc. etc.

Despite the fact that Oxford recognizes "Yule" as an archaic term for Christmas, this is historically and culturally inaccurate.