The yule log

　　There is custom that on christmas eve an enormous l og of freshly cut wood called the yule log would be fet ched and carried to the house with great ceremony. On c hristmas eve, the master of the house would place it on the hearth, make libations by sprinkling the trunk with oil, salt and mulled wine and say suitable prayers. In some families, the young girls of the house lit the log with splinters from the preceding year which they had c arefully tucked away. In other families, the mother had this privilege. It was said that the cinders of this lo g could protect the house from lightning and the malevo lent powers of the devil. Choices about the variety of wood, the way in whichit was lit and the length of time it took to burn constitued a genuine ritual which could vary from region to region.

　　The custom, which dates back to the XIIth century, was known in most europeans countries, notably in franc e and in italy where the yule log was called a ceppo. T his tradition persisted in quebec as it did in france u p until the last quarter of the XIXth century. Its disa ppearance coincides with that of great hearths which we re gradually replaced by cast-iron stoves. The great lo g was thus replaced by a smaller one, often embellished with candles and greenery, placed in the centre of the table as a christmas decoration.

　　Today, the yule log has become a traditional pastry , a delicious cake roll, smothered in coffee or chocola te-flavoured icing and decorated with sugared holly lea ves and roses.

　　Notes:

　　1. yule log:圣诞节原木(指圣诞前夜放人炉中燃烧的大原木)；圣诞节原木形人大蛋糕

　　2. hearth:炉膛

　　3. libation:奠酒

　　4. cinder:炭渣

　　5. malevolent:恶毒的

　　6. embellish:装饰

　　7. pastry:糕点