is yule christmas

Yes, Yule is the ancient Germanic name for the winter solstice, which falls on December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. It was celebrated as a sacred festival in many pagan cultures, and it is the precursor to the modern-day holiday of Christmas. The name "Yule" comes from the Old Norse word "jol," which means "wheel." In some traditions, the Yule Wheel is an important symbol of the solstice.