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 is the author of two books about Christmas: Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025) and Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022). Both are available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook (narrated by the author). Find them wherever books are sold.
Christmas Past
Backstory: Ded Moroz
Ded Moroz ("Grandfather Frost"), went from folk tale to fairy tale, from beloved symbol of Christmas to exile, and then back to beloved symbol, all in surprisingly short order. It’s a story of ups and downs, set against the backdrop of a violent social and political revolution, and which resulted in a strange stint as the “Soviet Santa Claus.”
Karen Petrone, University of Kentucky history professor and author of Life Has Become More Joyous, Comrades, joins Brian to tell the story.
Clara in Australia shares a Christmas memory in this episode. Check out her podcast, The Festivity Files.
Music in this episode
- "Waiting at the Hem" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Reverie - Claude Debussy - Classic Concert Grand Piano" — JuliusH, via Pixabay
- "Heartstring Serenade" — Liudmyla Polishchuk, via Pixabay
- "Somewhere in my Memory - Xmas Piano" — Calvin Clavier, via Pixabay
- "O Come O Come Emmanuel" — Jon Sayles, freemusicpublicdomain.com
Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago
Connect with Me
- Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links
- Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com
Books
Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life.
Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)