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: The Original Santa Claus Parade
Who doesn't love a parade? The very idea of a procession, usually involving costumes and music, is at least 4,000 years old. But grand parades to kick off the Christmas season are much newer. The kind we're most familiar with nowadays developed when large retail chains held parades to stimulate shopping and define a new, earlier start to the Christmas season. All that capitalism sounds very American, but — surprise! — Canada beat us to it!
In today's episode, Clayton Charters, president and CEO of the Original Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, joins Brian.
Watch the playback of the 2024 Santa Claus Parade on Youtube!
Music in this Episode
- "Happy Christmas Day" — LudoSoundX, via Pixabay
- "I'm Not Feeling Well Today" — u_0tyyfec3hz, via Pixabay
- "O Little Town of Bethlehem" — Calvin Clavier, via Pixabay
- "Jazz Theme 5" — Erkki Marjasvaara, via Pixabay
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- Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com
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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.