BBB Etymology - Yule

The word Yule is currently used to refer to Christmas, but it was originally a midwinter holiday around the time of the solstice that marked the beginning of a new year. Like the Shire Calendar, the Old English calendar had months called Ærra Geola - meaning "before Yule" - and Æfterra Geola - or "after Yule." The precise meaing of geola is uncertain, but it may be related to the word "wheel," implying the turning of the year.