Christmas Past
Behind every Christmas tradition is a story, often a forgotten one. Every year as we put up a tree and pour the eggnog, we’re continuing generations-old narratives, while being mostly unaware of their starting chapters.
Join Brian Earl to explore the fascinating stories behind the most wonderful time of the year. It's equal parts nerdy deep dive and warmhearted celebration. Think: NPR meets Clement Clarke Moore!
Christmas Past is one of the longest running Christmas podcasts, now in its tenth season. Vanity Fair says: "With excellent production, engaging narration, and short, digestible running times, Christmas Past is perfect to put on while decorating your tree or preparing Christmas dinner."
Brian's 2022 book, Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions, is available in hardcover from Lyons Press and an audiobook from Recorded Books! Get your copy today wherever books are sold. And remember...it makes a great gift!
Christmas Past
Backstory: Christmas Trees
It's the universal symbol of the Christmas season: a tree (typically a fir) adorned with ornaments and lights. But...what does any of that have to do with Christmas? The Christmas tree has a long history. But only fairly recently has it become especially common in homes at Christmas time.
Music in this episode
- "Eternal Hope" — Kevin MacLeod, via Youtube Audio Library
- "O Christmas Tree - Ernst Anshutz Christmas Piano Music" — Lesfm, via Pixabay
- "March" — Kai Engel, via Free Music Archive
- "Ambient Piano" — Balance Bay, via Pixabay
- "Greensleeves" — Lesfm, via Lesfm.net
- "Christmas Atmosphere" — Lesfm, via Pixabay
Buy the Christmas Past Book!
Order your copy today. And remember...it makes a great gift!
Share a Christmas memory
Be on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send it to christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from.
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Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago
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Book
Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Available in hardcover and audiobook. Find it wherever books are sold, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.