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: Why is Christmas on December 25?
If Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, and we celebrate it on December 25, then Jesus must have been born on that day, right? Not so fast! We actually have no good idea when Jesus was born. And besides, the observance of his birth on December 25 is a 4th century contrivance. But why December 25 of all days? In today's episode, professor and author Michael Foley joins Brian to make sense of it all.
Get a copy of Dr. Foley's book, Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe.
Music in this episode
- "Stress Relief Piano" — PianoAmor, via Pixabay
- "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist
- "Neatly Folded" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Oh Christmas Tree" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
- "First Snow" — Scott Buckley, via scottbuckley.com.au
Connect
- Facebook page
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- Twitter / X
- Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com
- Website
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.