The Goddess at last gives birth to a son, the God, at Yule. The Winter Solstice has long been viewed as a time of divine births. This is in no way an adaptation of Christianity, the Christians simply adopted it for their use in 273 C.E. (Common Era).
Yule is the shortest day of the year, and many Wiccans celebrate Yule just before dawn, then watch the Sun rise as a finale to their efforts. Since the God is also the Sun, this marks the point of the year when the Sun is reborn as well. The lighting of fires or candles is often used to welcome the Sun's returning light. The Goddess rests after Her delivery.
Yule is a reminder that the ultimate product of death is rebirth. The cold end of the year is followed by the rebirth of Nature in the Spring.
The Pagans of Rome and the Norse traditions considered this holiday the start of the new year. Roman explorers brought their holiday traditions with them to Ireland. The Winter Solstice festival of the Celts then blended with the Roman holiday. When Christianity developed, the holiday had to be absorbed because it was so prevalent it could not be eradicated. Many of the old Pagan traditions may be seen in the holiday of Christmas. Holly, mistletoe, evergreens, candles, fire, are recognized by all. Many of these customs originated with the Norse, Romans and Druids.
