Yule: Light Returns & Freedom
We explore Moses and the Exodus while celebrating the return of light at winter solstice.
Teaching Note: Exodus stories are studied as literature alongside other cultural myths, finding common wisdom across traditions.
UU Principle Focus
1st Principle: Inherent worth and dignity of every person
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Moses in the Basket
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Baby Moses was saved by brave women. Who are the brave women in your life?
📚 Language Arts
Read Moses' birth story as literature. Write about someone who protected you
✖️ Math
Measurement - capacity. How big was the basket?
🌱 Science
Rivers and water - the Nile ecosystem
✏️ Form Drawing
River and wave forms
🧶 Handwork
Weave a small basket from natural materials
📖 Story
Moses in the Basket (Exodus 1-2 as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Many cultures have stories of special babies saved from danger
Abrahamic:
Moses is hidden in a basket and found by a princess
Connection:
Both traditions honor those who protect the vulnerable
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Moses Story animated
- Rivers of the World
Shows:
- Nile River
Audio:
- Moses for Children
Week 2: The Burning Bush & Calling
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Moses heard a call to help his people. What do you feel called to do?
📚 Language Arts
Read burning bush story as literature. Write about a time you felt called to help
✖️ Math
Temperature - hot and cold. Fire safety
🌱 Science
Fire science - how fire works, fire safety
✏️ Form Drawing
Flame forms - upward movement
🧶 Handwork
Candle making for Yule
📖 Story
The Burning Bush (Exodus 3 as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Sacred fires are central to many Pagan traditions - Beltane, Yule
Abrahamic:
God speaks to Moses through a bush that burns but isn't consumed
Connection:
Both traditions see fire as sacred and transformative
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Burning Bush animated
- Fire Science for Kids
Shows:
- Sacred Fires
Audio:
- Exodus Stories
Week 3: Return of the Light
🕯️ Hearth Circle
At Yule, the sun is reborn. What light do you want to bring into the world?
📚 Language Arts
Compare winter solstice celebrations from different cultures. Write a light poem
✖️ Math
Time - shortest day, longest night. Counting daylight hours
🌱 Science
Winter solstice - why days are shortest
✏️ Form Drawing
Sun and star forms - radiating lines
🧶 Handwork
Create a Yule log, sun wheel, or star lantern
📖 Story
The Return of the Sun (various traditions)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Yule celebrates the rebirth of the sun at winter solstice
Abrahamic:
Hanukkah celebrates light lasting miraculously for 8 days
Connection:
Both traditions celebrate light returning in the darkest time
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Winter Solstice Explained
- Hanukkah for Kids
Shows:
- Solstice Celebrations
Audio:
- Winter Holiday Stories
Week 4: The Exodus Journey
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Israelites left slavery for freedom. What does freedom mean to you?
📚 Language Arts
Read Exodus journey as literature. Write about a journey to something better
✖️ Math
Large numbers - how many people? How many days?
🌱 Science
Desert survival - water, food, shelter in harsh conditions
✏️ Form Drawing
Journey forms - winding paths through wilderness
🧶 Handwork
Create a journey map or diorama
📖 Story
The Exodus (as literature)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Many traditions tell of journeys from darkness to light
Abrahamic:
Moses leads people from slavery in Egypt to freedom
Connection:
Both traditions value the journey from oppression to freedom
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Exodus Story animated
- Desert Survival
Shows:
- Ancient Egypt
Audio:
- Exodus for Children
Week 5: The Ten Commandments
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The commandments are rules for living together. What rules help your family?
📚 Language Arts
Read commandments as literature. Write your own family rules
✖️ Math
Counting by tens. Roman numerals I-X
🌱 Science
Mountains - how mountains form, Mount Sinai
✏️ Form Drawing
Mountain forms - triangular peaks
🧶 Handwork
Create a family covenant or agreement
📖 Story
The Ten Commandments (as literature)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Many traditions have codes of ethics - Wiccan Rede, Nine Noble Virtues
Abrahamic:
Moses receives ten rules for living on Mount Sinai
Connection:
Both traditions provide guidelines for ethical living
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Ten Commandments animated
- How Mountains Form
Shows:
- Mount Sinai
Audio:
- Rules for Living Stories
Week 6: Yule Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Yule ritual - welcome the returning sun, exchange gifts, feast with loved ones
📚 Language Arts
Write Yule cards and blessings. Share gratitude
✖️ Math
Review measurement and time. Gift-giving math
🌱 Science
Winter ecology - how plants and animals survive winter
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a Yule border with suns, stars, and evergreens
🧶 Handwork
Yule feast, gift exchange, evergreen decorations
📖 Story
Share favorite light-returning stories
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Yule feast celebrates sun's return with evergreens, gifts, and fire
Abrahamic:
Christmas celebrates birth of Jesus, 'light of the world'
Connection:
Both traditions celebrate light, hope, and new beginnings in winter
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Yule Traditions
- Christmas Around World
Shows:
- Winter Holidays
Audio:
- Holiday Story Collection
🕯️ Yule Celebration
- 🟡 Light a Yule log and watch the sun return
- 🟡 Decorate with evergreens - symbols of eternal life
- 🟡 Exchange handmade gifts
- 🟡 Feast with loved ones
- 🟡 Create sun wheels or star lanterns