Yule Kids Ritual

You will need:

  • Some sprigs of pine tree
  • Red and Green Candles
  • Apple cider or egg nog...some sort of drink of the season
  • Yule cookies, candies or cakes, again, something to represent the season
  • A gift.
    This needs to be something small, and from the heart to give to the Lord in his infancy. It can be something that smells good, something that is soft and cuddly, or whatever your kids would like to present to the Lord on his day of birth.

    The wheel of the year has turned once again, and so it is time to teach our young ones the meaning of the season. This is the time when the Lady gives birth to the Lord, and then takes her rest, while the days (represented by the Lord) grow longer. It is a time of family and friends, as it is usually too cold to go outside and play, we spend much of our time indoors with those who are closest to us. The meals on the table get bigger, and the smell of baked goodies wafts through the air. This is truly a time to remember that it IS better to give than to receive!

    Set your altar up in the normal way, using the red candle for the Lady, and the green candle for the Lord. Decorate your altar with the pine sprigs and use some other pretty decorations that you may have around your home. Make sure that you leave a place on the altar for your cup of yummy holiday drink and food, and for the gift. State the reason that you are in your sacred space, as we always do, by using these or similar words:

    "Dearest Lady in your Mother phase, we celebrate you in this time of birth and re-birth. We come with the understanding and knowledge that while you bring the Lord into this world and rest, you are not gone, and do return as the wheel of the year turns. Dearest Lord, we are here to welcome you into the world! With bright and shiny things to awaken you, and warm Yule fires to remind you of the feeling of the Sun! Today we celebrate the Lady and Lord, Mother and child, and we welcome the return of the Sun King!"


    Light the candle representing the Lady, the red one, and say these or similar words:

    "Mother Goddess, after you bring forth the Blessed Child that will rule the Sun in his time, know that by the lighting of this candle and the food and drink on this altar that you are welcome here to rest your spirit! May you find these gifts of nourishment pleasing, and enjoy them to the fullest! See the candle burning, and allow it to guide you here to this place of rest and peace for you. May the smells of the food and drink beckon to you, and give you health and restoration. Blessed is the one who brings forth the Sun God!"


    Light the candle representing the Lord, the green one, and say these or similar words:

    "Lord of all light, Lord of the wood and the wild beasts that roam this Earth, welcome! As we light this candle for you, may it fill you with the curiosity and wonder of warmth and light, so that in your time you may grow to know your purpose. May it aid you in remembering your past and the tasks that lie before you. We offer you this gift. It is one of the hearth and the heart. Its purpose is to welcome you once more to the world, that you may find it a comforting home. May the light of this candle and the gift that we offer be pleasing to you, and serve as both a welcome and a spark of wonder! Blessed is the one who is born of the Earth Mother!"


    On this night, it is customary to do something charitable for those less fortunate then ourselves. Some ideas are to place a bowl of food out for some stray animals in your neighborhood, or visiting a nursing home in your area, just to say "hi". You could donate old blankets or clothes to a homeless shelter, or offer to take out the trash for an elderly neighbor that may have trouble doing so. There are a ton of things that you can do to help out. It’s a nice thing to do, and it makes you feel good when you know that you have made someone else smile!

    After you are done, take the food and drink outside for the Lady to enjoy, and take the gift for the Lord outside as well. As you take these things outside, say these or similar words:

    "Lord of all light, and Mother that gave him life, thank you for being with me on this night of Yule! Thank you for the gifts that you have given me, and thank you for the light and the darkness! Blessed Be, and Blessed Yule!"


    The rite is done. You may go in and enjoy a family feast, or just relax and enjoy each other’s company. Take the time to remember that it is always a good thing when you do something for others. In this hi-tech age, we tend to forget that this time of year really is about doing good things for other people. There isn’t a thing in the stores that can give you the same feeling of satisfaction and joy as doing a good deed for someone that can’t do it for themselves. Remember that all living things are sacred to the Gods, and that we must honor that by helping those around us.

    For more ideas on charitable things to do, email me at kids@proudtobepagan.com.

    Blessed Be!

    Kiri