We close out this beautiful Yule tide with thoughts toward Wisdom. As we take stock of 2018 and get ready to conquer 2019, what have we learned? If you have had a glorious 2018, those glories come with lessons, learn from them and accelerate your victory in the coming year. If you had setbacks and failures in the past year, there are even MORE lessons to learn and opportunities to take those lessons into the new year. We all, victors and vanquished alike, have the opportunity, no, the DUTY to be better in 2019. May we learn and grow. May Wisdom be our guide as we set out upon our new year. I wish, with all my heart, for every member of our AFA family to WIN, in 2019 and forever, may you all have a year of love, of joy and of victory. Hail the Yule Father! Hail the Victory Father! Hail the God of Wisdom! HAIL ODIN!

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

Following upon yesterday’s theme, today we celebrate Loyalty. Loyalty is one of the greatest of virtues. Loyalty builds real bonds, the kind that last and can be trusted. Loyalty is easy when all is flowers and rainbows. Loyalty is hard when there is storm and struggle and consequence. Thank you to all of you who stand, and have stood, Loyally with the AFA through struggle, through controversy and the sniping of Lilliputians. You Loyal Ladies and Gentlemen have built the victory that we are now enjoying and have ALWAYS enjoyed. Today we shall victoriously share a drink to Loyalty!

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

Today we turn our attention to Steadfastness. The ability to build anything that lasts is predicated upon the ability of people to be Steadfast. This year, the AFA began our focus on immortality. As a church, we build our immortality on the Steadfastness of our members and leaders. We are building something that will last for our children’s children to be a part of. We are building an institution to honor our Gods and our Folk into eternity. We are honored to have such Steadfast members of our AFA family and leaders who are committed to the long term, to the immortality of our Folk, our Faith and our AFA. Hail to those who stand fast!

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

Today we consider Truth. This year I would like to talk about being honest with yourself. Telling Truth to others is often scary but telling Truth to yourself can be terrifying. I would challenge us all to take moments to reflect upon what we REALLY believe and accept the consequence to shape our lives accordingly. I would also suggest that this is a great time of year to be brutally honest with ourselves about our faults but ALSO to be honest about our strengths. This is not a time to bemoan our shortcomings. This is a time to plan to FIX shortcomings and build upon our strengths in 2019. When we tell Truth to the world, and to ourselves, we hold our heads high and can move forward with a moral authority and authenticity that is palpable to those around us. Be brave and embrace Truth!

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

On the 8th day of Yule we honor Individuality. Our Folk have always honored the hero, the one who stands tall and achieves greatness. This Yule I would encourage us all to BE the hero. Do more. Be more. Odin is the God of heroes and those who grow, those who evolve and those who ascend. It is the nature of our Noble Folk always to strive for more, for better, even the bounds of this Earth cannot hold our aspiration to become more. We look to the stars, not merely as a curiosity but as a destiny and a goal. I challenge each of us to reach for the stars and EVERY day become a little smarter, a little stronger, a little better. Direct your Individuality ever upward towards greatness!

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

Today is all about Community. I am so proud of our AFA Community…our AFA family. This Yule we have 23 strong and proud AFA Kindreds celebrating around the world. In the United States, no matter where you are, you have AFA brothers and sisters close by with very few exceptions. Community is all about people, people that come together to be part of something bigger than themselves. Thank you to all our members and all our AFA Kindreds that make our Community the very best in Midgard!

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

Today we think on Moderation. An important thing to remember in this regard is will. As a noble people, we happen to things rather than allowing things to happen to us. As you celebrate, or partake of anything for that matter, CHOOSE to by your will. Feast heavily when you choose and because you have made the decision to, stop eating and step away from the plate when you decide you have had enough. Drink because you choose to partake, drink water instead when you make the choice that you have had enough. Do not accidentally be tossed about by life’s waves, chart a course by your will and sail through life as a noble son or daughter of Odin.

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

On the fifth day of Yule we honor Hospitality. Thank you to all the AFA members and families who have opened up their homes to our folk, to celebrate and to honor our Gods. Whenever we open our homes to our AFA family, we build solid and lasting bonds. Hospitality ties us together in a way that nothing else can and we appreciate those folks who have opened up their doors and hosted. As we go from house to house enjoying the each other’s Hospitality, let us all remember to be good guests and to bring something to contribute as well as a heart full of joy. Hail the Host! Hail the Guest! May AFA households and our Church it’self be known for our Hospitality……After all, the AFA is about coming HOME.

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

Today we celebrate Generosity. The AFA has been able to accomplish great things in 2018. We have had countless events and the growth has been astounding. We would not have been able to accomplish this without the Generosity of our amazing AFA family and some big-hearted friends. The Asatru Folk Assembly would like to thank each and everyone of you for your dues and your donations in 2018 and since the beginning. Your Generosity is massively impactful and deeply appreciated. THANK YOU.

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly

On the third day of Yule we celebrate Courage. Courage doesn’t live in bygone days facing foes with sword and shield or standing fast against a mythical dragon. Courage starts by living a life consistent with your beliefs and values. Courage is being a Folkish Asatruar in real life with your real name and participating enthusiastically with others of like mind in real community. Scary things become much less frightening when you stand next to stalwart brothers and sisters facing the same challenges. We all have to temper Courage with sound judgement, but, lets think today on ways we can live more authentically and be Courageous in our own lives.

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly