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
The Secret Santa of Kansas City
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
A mysterious philanthropist spent more than 25 years handing out cash anonymously around Kansas City at Christmastime.
Music in this Episode
- "I Knew A Guy" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
- "Elegy for Manush" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "The Agency Man" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Velvet Ladder" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Soft Piano Music" — Clavier Music, via Pixabay
- "A Very Brady Special" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
- "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" — Unnamed Artist, via Pixabay
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)