源自欧洲的古老传统，一块大原木在寒冷的圣诞夜带给人们了温暖。它被隆重地送到壁炉里，和前一年烧剩下的木料一起点燃……

An ancient tradition originating in Europe, a Yule log warmed the house during the cold Christmas night. It was ceremoniously brought to the fireplace and lit with the remnants of the log from the previous year. This was to erase¹ trouble from the past and bring good fortune and protection from fire.

Today, the Yule log takes the form of a traditional French cake shaped like a log, a perfect finish to a Christmas feast.

参考译文

　　这是一个源自欧洲的古老传统，一块大原木在寒冷的圣诞夜带给人们了温暖。它被隆重地送到壁炉里，和前一年烧剩下的木料一起点燃。这是为了消除过去的烦恼，并从火中带来好运和庇佑。如今，一种法式蛋糕就做成了原木的形状，样子像块木头，是圣诞宴席的压轴大菜。