On this, the Christian Christmas Day celebration, many of us choose to work with the Ancestors. It is common for us to be direct descendants of Christian relatives, and since this holy day was important to them, we honor them by recognizing this fact. Today, we honor the Ancestors. In addition, we honor the spirit of hospitality and the way it manifests in all we do. Some of us are traveling to spend time with Christian relatives, and it is our responsibility to be good guests in their homes. A prayer for travel may also be spoken, if applicable. Offerings are commonly plates of food from the shared family meal, similar to a dumb supper.

Devotional/Prayer: Honoring the Ancestors and Hospitality

Light six flames and speak the following:
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On this, the sixth night of Yule, the center of our celebration,
We pay honor to the Ancestors at the center of our practice, of our hearts, and of our homes.
Many of our beloved dead taught us to pray,
Taught us to honor and love the Gods,
And built the foundation of our religious ideals.
We invite to share in our meal this evening (offer plate)
As guests in our home.
So many times have you hosted us in our youth and formative years,
Hosted our Mothers and Fathers and their Mothers and Fathers,
And we are proud to host you in return.
Ancestors of Body, whose blood courses through our veins,
Ancestors of Heart, whose love has brought us healing
and helped us to thrive,
Ancestors of Wisdom, teachers and mentors,
Ancestors of Hearth, who taught us to pray,
Ancestors of the Household, who taught us to respect our guests
and to be good guests in our travels,
We give you honor and respect,
We give you comfort and welcome,
We give you thanks and praise,
This day and always.
Ancestors, accept our offerings!

On this night, we honor the kith and kin among the nature kin who share our homes with us. As we prepare for further gifts and guests, it is right and fitting that these important members of our households are honored for their part in the health and well-being of our families and our environment. To begin, clear and perhaps decorate their spaces. If you do not have any permanent place for the housewights to call their own, you may either create one that you intend to keep for them after the season or create a temporary space for them to receive their offerings. Please be mindful that housewights are of the Not Gods and as such, you will need to speak aloud for them to hear you.

Devotional/Prayer: Honoring the Housewights

Make a plate of food for the housewights. Light five flames and speak the following:
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On this, the fifth night of Yule, we pay honor to you, kin of our home, those beings who share this space with us, good neighbors and friends,
We honor you.
We have spent many nights under this roof together.
You have heard our joys and triumphs.
You have witnessed our sorrows and pains.
You have heard laughter and anger, and all of our prayers.
You, dear house-kin, are family. (offer plate of food)
Tonight, we honor you for the important place you hold in the home
with these gifts of our table.
We share freely that you may know the plenty of our home,
in body as well as spirit.
House-kin, accept our offerings.

On this night, similar to the first night, we honor the Fathers. These are the male-identifying Ancestors of our hearths, hearts, and homes who have provided for us, taught us, comforted us, and blessed us with strength and purpose. These Ancestors do not have to be blood relatives. The Norse term, “Alfar,” is for male Ancestors. The term can be confusing, because it refers to both the “elves” of nature and of the souls of departed men. Some Norse-Germanic pagans honor Freyr at this time, as well, since he is the Lord of Alfheim.

Devotional/Family Prayer: Honoring the Fathers

Light the first four flames and speak the following:
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On this, the fourth day of Yule, when the darkness begins to ebb once more, we pay honor to those who stood beside us at our new beginnings, who aided us in strength and mind as we pursued our endeavors.
Tonight, we honor the Fathers of Old.
Fathers of our lines, Fathers of our hearts,
Fathers of our Father’s Fathers, we invite you to our fire this day.
Those who celebrated our victories, those who brought determination
and continued motivation in our trials,
Those who kept our homes full of bread,
those who worked hard to make a future for us,
Ancient Fathers, we honor you.
We give you these gifts (offer ale/spirits and bread),
That you may be filled with the fruit of our labors as you taught us to labor for what we sought to build.
Ancient Fathers, accept our offerings.