Yule (Jul in Scandinavia), is celebrated before and during the Winter Solstice, in honor of Jul -or Green Man- a manifestation of the god Thor. In general, Jul is Lord of giving and the promise of spring and better things to come.
According to my family's tradition, Thor appeared as the wanderer Jul to teach men to remember the poor and downtrodden. He visited those in need and left them food and toys for their children. When a vain king realized his people were being generous to the widows and orphans of his enemies, he ordered Jul to be captured and torn to pieces by four horses. Some of the king's men found Jul and broght him to the place of execution. But when his limbs were tied to the ropes the horses refused to budge. The king called for the horses to be beat. At that moment the bifrost bridge appeared in the sky. Odin appeared and told the king who Jul truly was and said those who show compassion as does Thor are the most honorable of people. The vain king was angry and cursed his former allegiance to Odin. Thor broke the ropes and the horses turned on the king. They trampled him to death. The sun above broke forth in brilliance and Frigg appeared. She blessed all who vowed to follow Thor's example of generosity, saying through such acts we are all Her children. And thus began the tradition of offering hospitality to our poorest neighbors during the darkest part of winter.
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