HOLIDAY TRADITIONS INCLUDE YULE LOGS

Yule logs, an ancient Christmas custom, have been part of the holiday tradition at Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau for over two decades.

Members at the church make the logs and sell them as the congregation's one fund raiser.

Carolyn Thomasson, a member of the church, said the tradition comes from England. People would come together and burn logs in a bonfire to greet the holiday season, celebrate the birth of Christ, and bring luck for the new year.

In some communities, bonfires are still lit. Other people celebrate with a personal yule log.

Members of the congregation have been making decorated yule logs for over 20 years. They cut logs 18 to 24 inches long and decorate them with fresh greens, holly, magnolia leaves and a big red bow.

"The only artificial thing on it is the bow," Thomasson said.

The yule logs can be used for decoration outside or indoors during Christmas. Thomasson said many families burn the yule log as part of the Christmas eve or Christmas day celebration.

The logs cost $15 and are available at Kinder Tree Lot, Southeast Missouri State University greenhouse, Sunny Hill or by calling Thomasson at 335-6220. The logs can be delivered.