I am not religious either. Yule is not Christmas though both celebrations root on the same thing, the shortest day is over and now on "light" is reborn in longer days. Evergreen in yule symbolizes growth to come. In all Yule is just the celebration that brighter warmer days are ahead. Nature's wisdom.
And thank you. It was a tough year, looking forward to new "beginnings"
I know various festivals have more ancient origins and that's fine. They are just a way to mark time and remember what we are part of.