To learn more about the Church of the Brethren click on the logo below.	The Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival On Saturday, December 1^st and Sunday, December 2^nd, Ridgeway will present the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, a medieval Christmas celebration set in the manor house of a distinguished Lord and Lady of the realm. Already ancient in tradition when first presented at Queen’s College, Oxford, England in 1340, the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival is probably the Oldest continuing festival of the Christmas season and was for many years a holiday tradition in many great manor houses throughout England. The Festival eventually made its way to Colonial America and over the years has become an established, annual tradition in many churches and colleges throughout the country. The Festival takes its name from an ancient legend. The legend has it a scholar was studying a book of Aristotle while walking through the forest one day. Suddenly, he was confronted by an angry, wild boar. Having no other weapon, the scholar rammed his metal-bound Philosophy book down the throat of the charging animal, whereupon the brute choked to death. That night, the boar’s head, finely dressed and garnished, was borne in procession to the dining room, accompanied by carolers. The boar had long been a symbol of evil and the serving of the head represented the triumph of good over evil. Eventually, this triumph was manifested in the birth of the Christ Child as Savior of all Creation. The Yule Log, lit from last year’s embers, representing the warmth of family fireside and the continuance of human life and concern, has from the earliest times symbolized the rekindling of love. The old year passes; the new year is born; yet, the same Love lights each. Ridgeway’s Festival will incorporate many of the traditional elements found in this ancient celebration – traditional carols, customs, and accouterments. Our festival will feature choir and instrumentalists, a children’s chorus, shepherds, lords and ladies, and the performance of an ancient play about the shepherds at Christmastime. The play itself dates from the 15^th century and tells the story of three shepherds, their encounter with the sheep thief and his wife, and the shepherds’ eventual journey to the Nativity scene. Tickets for the Boar’s Head Festival are free, but should be reserved in advance by calling the church office. Tickets will also be available following worship beginning Sunday, October 28^th. These tickets will be a great way to invite friends and family to the Festival and make this a truly memorable event for the Ridgeway community .