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 eighth 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 new book is out now from Lyons Press and Recorded books! Get your copy today, wherever books are sold. And remember...it makes a great gift!
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Christmas 2023
12/25/2023
Christmas 2023
It's our eighth consecutive Christmas together. As we close out the 2023 season, we're taking a look back at the news and trends that made this Christmas what it was. Thank you all for another wonderful Christmas season together. Merry Christmas! And until we meet again, may your days be merry and bright. Music in this Episode "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
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Backstory — Boxing Day
12/22/2023
Backstory — Boxing Day
Here in America, the day after Christmas is simply that: the day after. The party's over. But in England, it's an official holiday. December 26 — Boxing Day — is the Christmas afterparty you've been missing out on. What's the story? And what does it have to do with boxing? Paul Kerensa joins Christmas Past to...unpack the box. Mentioned in this Episode , by Paul Kerensa Music in this Episode "" — U.S. Army Band, via Wikimedia Commons "" — DJ Williams, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Julius H., via Pixabay "" — Alexander Nakarada, via Film Music "" — Kai Engel, via Free Music Archive read by Peter John Keeble, courtesy of Librivox
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Your Christmas Memories: 2023, vol 2
12/20/2023
Your Christmas Memories: 2023, vol 2
Christmas Day is less than a week from now. In this final stretch of the 2023 season, let's have another gathering of the Christmas Past family. Yes, it’s time once again for an episode dedicated just to you and your Christmas memories. Cozy up by the fire with us for a little Christmas reminiscing. Music in this Episode "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
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Backstory — A Meatless Christmas Eve Meal
12/18/2023
Backstory — A Meatless Christmas Eve Meal
For many families, the Christmas Eve feast is a so-called "meatless meal." It's a tradition of European Christian roots that has gone on to take many forms. Mentioned in this episode Music in this Episode "" — wildsound159, via Pixabay "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist "" — Scott Buckley, via ScottBuckley.com.au "" — DJ Williams, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Podington Bear, via Free Music Archive
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A Visit to Old Fezziwig's Christmas Eve Ball
12/17/2023
A Visit to Old Fezziwig's Christmas Eve Ball
Old Fezziwig sure knew how to throw an office Christmas party. Dickens's description of Christmas Eve in Fezziwig's counting house included vigorous fiddling and elaborate dancing. That style of dance may belong to a bygone time, but it lives on in the annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair. In this special episode, Cathleen Myers joins Christmas Past to explain how Victorians danced their way to Christmas. Mentioned in this Episode (Peers) Music in this Episode "" — Primal House Music, via Pixabay "" — Julius H., via Pixabay
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Backstory — Christmas Postage Stamps
12/15/2023
Backstory — Christmas Postage Stamps
In the late nineteenth century modern postal systems were still coming into their own. Around the turn of the century, many countries, including England, began issuing Christmas themed postage stamps. You might think that America would have been among them, but boy would you be wrong. In fact, America was one of the last countries to get on board. American Christmas stamps are only a few decades old. And the story there has to do with simple economics and America’s system of government. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Denys Kyshchuk, via Pixabay "Running Waters" — Audionautix, via Youtube Audio Library "Noel" — Audionautix, via Youtube Audio Library "Acoustic Guitar 1" — Audionautix, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Aakash Gandhi, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
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The Brady Bunch: The Voice of Christmas (with Christopher Knight!)
12/13/2023
The Brady Bunch: The Voice of Christmas (with Christopher Knight!)
The Brady Bunch is an iconic American sitcom that ran for five seasons. But it produced only one Christmas episode during its original run. "The Voice of Christmas" from season 1 finds Carol with laryngitis days before she's scheduled to sing a solo for her church's Christmas service. The one and only Christopher Knight joins Brian to break this episode down. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "" — Noisepatterns, via SoundCloud "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "" — Dream Protocol, via Pixabay "" — Aakash Gandhi, via Youtube Audio Studio
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Backstory — Shortbread
12/11/2023
Backstory — Shortbread
For a bread that’s short, its history is long. Exactly how long, and the particulars of how it all came about, though, are unclear. But one this is clear: shortbread is an essential — and delicious — part of the festive season. Mentioned in this Episode Youtube Channel , book by Max Miller Music in this Episode "" — Trygve Larsen, Pixabay "" — Axletree, via Free Music Archive "" — Agnese Valmaggia, via Film Music "" — Trygve Larsen, Pixabay "Angels We Have Heard on High" — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist
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Your Christmas Memories: 2023, vol 1
12/10/2023
Your Christmas Memories: 2023, vol 1
One of my favorite parts of creating Christmas Past is sharing your Christmas memories. I love the warm connections I’ve had with so many of you over the years, and the glimpses you provide into your Christmases Past. So, today, I’m excited to take a break from the normal action and bring to you an episode dedicated just to you and your Christmas memories. Music in this Episode — RelaxingTime, via Pixabay
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Backstory — Wishbooks
12/08/2023
Backstory — Wishbooks
Colorful, glossy, enticing. For generations of children, the annual department store Christmas catalog was a field guide, a treasure map, and the fuel for hearts desires and letters to Santa. And then, one day, they were gone. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Oleg Kirilkov, via Pixabay "" — 23117649, via Pixabay "" — Juan Sanchez, via Pixabay "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
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Backstory — Stollen
12/06/2023
Backstory — Stollen
Stollen is a Christmas staple in German homes. This cake/bread hybrid is packed with flavor and shaped to resemble a swaddled baby. Food writer Luisa Weiss joins Christmas Past to explain stollen's special connection to German Christmas and German baking culture. Mentioned in this Episode , by Luisa Weiss Music in this Episode "" — Paul Winter, via Pixabay "" — Frank Schroeter, via Film Music "" — Frank Schroeter, via Film Music "" — Reeg'sB, via Film Music "" — Sergei Chetvertnykh, via Pixabay
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Backstory — The Mari Lwyd
12/04/2023
Backstory — The Mari Lwyd
The mostly warm, fuzzy, cozy, sanitized Christmas is mainly a product of 19th and 20th century American influence. In earlier times, Christmas had a spooky side — one example of which is the Welsh tradition of the ghostly gray mare: the Mari Lwyd. Mentioned in this Episode by Jeff Belanger Music in this Episode "" — Julius H., via Pixabay "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" —Oleksii Kaplunskyi, via Pixabay "" — Yevhen Onoychenko, via Pixabay Additional sound effects via Freesound
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Backstory — Christmas Seals
12/01/2023
Backstory — Christmas Seals
By the turn of the 20th century, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in America by far. In 1907, when a tuberculosis treatment clinic was in financial straits, Emily Bissell created Christmas Seals as a fundraiser. It was as novel as it was effective. More than a century later, Christmas Seals are still one of the prominent sights of the season. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Maarten Schellekens, via Free Music Archive "" — Agnese Valmaggia, via Film Music "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "" — Scott Buckley, Scottbuckley.com "" — Leigh Robinson, via Pixabay
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Backstory — The Twelve Days of Christmas
11/29/2023
Backstory — The Twelve Days of Christmas
These days, the Christmas season is the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Way back when, it was the period beginning on Christmas Day, and included 12 days of merrymaking and mischief. The Twelve Days of Christmas aren't really part of our modern Christmas celebration — except for the song lyrics and the odd reference here and there. What are the twelve days of Christmas? And what happened to them? Are we missing out on anything by forgetting them? Well, if feasting, cross dressing, upending social hierarchy, and having a raucous good time sound at all interesting to you, then...yes. Yes we are! Mentioned in this Episode , by Michael Foley Music in this Episode "Twelve Days of Christmas" — Inner Splendor, via Feels Like Christmas "" — Tom Parkin, via Mega Monkey Music "" — Maarten Schellekens, via Free Music Archive "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Daddy S Music, via Pixabay
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Backstory — Elves
11/27/2023
Backstory — Elves
The earliest myths involving elves portrayed them as mischievous or even malicious creatures that posed dangers to humans and animals. So, how do we get from there to jolly little Christmas elves? It’s a story that takes us from ancient Ancient Europe to the current day — one that involves mythology, modern American influence, the power of poetry and literature, possibly the rise of industrialization, and definitely...sticking it to the Nazis. Mentioned in this Episode , by Gerry Bowler , by Gerry Bowler , by Gerry Bowler Music in this Episode "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — BlackPy Beats, via Pixabay "" — Olexy, via Pixabay "" — Oleg Kirilkov, via Pixabay "" — Alex Productions, via Free Music Archive
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Backstory — Nutcrackers
11/23/2023
Backstory — Nutcrackers
Decorative nutcrackers — most often resembling a toy soldier, but available in countless other characters — are synonymous with the Christmas season. Why? It’s a story whose origins predate Christmas itself. And whose history involves a mining town, Napoleon, dance theater, and World War two. So...let’s get crackin’! Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Wikimedia Commons "" — Trygve Larsen, via Pixabay "" — Trygve Larsen, via Pixabay "" — Trygve Larsen, via Pixabay "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
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Story Time — The Christmas Sing In Our Village
11/16/2023
Story Time — The Christmas Sing In Our Village
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Interview & Story Time — The Christmas Stories of Mary Wilkins Freeman
11/09/2023
Interview & Story Time — The Christmas Stories of Mary Wilkins Freeman
Mary E. Wilkins Freeman was a prolific author in the 19th century. Her Christmas stories showed up every year in newspapers and magazines. Professor Thomas Ruys Smith recently published a new collection of Freeman's Christmas stories. Professor Smith joins me today to discuss Freeman, and then Brian narrates "Harriet Anne's Christmas" from the collection. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Aleksey Chistilin, via Pixabay "" — Relaxing Time, via Pixabay "" — Kevin Macleod, via Incompetech
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Story Time — The Captain of the Polestar
10/30/2023
Story Time — The Captain of the Polestar
As we ease our way into another Christmas season, we're practicing thta somewhat forgotten tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas time! In 1883, Temple Bar magazine published a story by a writer and physician named Arthur Conan Doyle. Nowadays, we refer to him as sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and we know him best as the creator of that most famous of detectives: Sherlock Holmes. But this 1883 story isn’t about Sherlock. It’s about a ship trapped in arctic ice and the strange things the captain and crew experience. Join Brian for a reading of The Captain of the Polestar. Mentioned in this Episode Music in this Episode "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
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Christmas 2022
12/25/2022
Christmas 2022
Join Christmas Past one last time in the 2022 season. It's our annual look back at the sights, sounds, news, and trends that made Christmas of 2022 what it was. Merry Christmas to all, and many thanks for being part of the 2022 season of Christmas Past. Music in This Episode "" — Hot Music, via Pixabay "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — Pfeffernusse
12/23/2022
Backstory — Pfeffernusse
They're the spiced cookie with the funny sounding (to American ears) name. Pfeffernusse — or, "pepper nuts" in English — contain neither pepper nor nuts. And for centuries, the original recipe has been a closely guarded secret. Baker and podcaster Glen Warren joins me in this episode. Mentioned in This Episode Music in This Episode "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Scott Buckley, via scottbuckley.com.au "" Vassily Primakov, via Free Music Archive "" — Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks, via Magnatune Compilation "" — Zakhar Valaha Music, via Pixabay "" — Scott Holmes Music, via Free Music Archive 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — Christmas Popcorn Tins
12/21/2022
Backstory — Christmas Popcorn Tins
Those decorative tins filled with three kinds of popcorn have been a Christmas staple for decades. But...why? In this episode, we find out — by asking the guy responsible for the whole thing! Music in This Episode "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Ahmadmusic, via Pixabay "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Scott Buckley, via scottbuckley.com.au "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Scott Holmes Music, via Free Music Archive 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — Panettone
12/19/2022
Backstory — Panettone
It's fluffy, sweet, and studded with raisins and candied fruit peel. It's the Italian Christmas cake known as Panettone. Get ready to talk with your hands, along with me and Max Miller of Tasting History as we dig in. Mentioned in This Episode Music in This Episode "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Youtube Audio Library "" — FreeGroove, via Pixabay "" — James Edwards, via Magnatune Compilation "" — Reverie Now, via Pixabay "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Richard Irwin, via Hymns Without Words "" — Scott Holmes Music, via Free Music Archive 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Your Christmas Memories, 2022
12/16/2022
Your Christmas Memories, 2022
Cozy up with the Christmas Past family for some reminiscing! It's one of our favorite annual traditions...where I turn things over to you and let you guide my sleigh tonight on a trip down memory lane! Music in this episode "" — orangiromusik, via Pixabay "" — Hot Music, 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — Classic American Christmas Music
12/14/2022
Backstory — Classic American Christmas Music
Most of the classic American Christmas songs come from the 1940s. What was it about that decade that accounts for an explosion of Christmas music that's stood the test of time? What is it about those songs that sounds so Christmassy? And why are Christmas classics so few and far between in recent generations? Join me and Berklee College of Music professor Chris North to dive in! Music in This Episode "" — Marcus Staab, via Musopen "" — Track Tribe, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Audio Coffee, via Pixabay "" — WELC0MEИ0, via Pixabay "" — Lesfm, via Pixabay "" — Music for Videos, 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
12/12/2022
Backstory — It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Strictly speaking, a Christmas carol is a song that tells the Nativity story. That's what made Edmund Sears's song, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" so unusual when he wrote it. It didn't tell the story of Jesus's birth; it told the story of how people reacted to the news. This "humanist carol" arrived at a time when music itself was in the midst of some major changes. Music in This Episode "" — Aya Higuchi, via Musopen "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Cathy Oakes, via Feels Like Christmas ""—Mild Relaxation, via Pixabay "" — Music for Videos, via Pixabay Piano samples from "Carol" and "Noel" generously played by Carrie from the Christmas Past family! 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — Christmas Crackers
12/09/2022
Backstory — Christmas Crackers
They're the festive party favors containing a paper crown, a trinket, and a joke — and wrapped in a package that goes "bang" when you open it! Christmas Crackers are an invention of the Victorian age. And more specifically, one confectioner named Tom Smith. Smith single handedly created a tradition that has endured for generations. Mentioned in This Episode — Book by Peter Kimpton Music in This Episode "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Lesfm, via Pixabay "" — Lesfm, via Pixabay "" — Lesfm, via Pixabay "" — PianoAmor, via Pixabay "" — Music for Videos, 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — Father Christmas
12/07/2022
Backstory — Father Christmas
"Father Christmas"...that's what they call Santa Claus in England, right? Well, sort of, but there's more to it than that. Join me and guest professor Gerry Bowler to look into the origins of this often misunderstood Christmas character. Music in This Episode "" — Scott Holmes, via Free Music Archive "" — Ashot-Danielyan-Composer, via Pixabay "" — Ashot-Danielyan-Composer, via Pixabay "" — Cheryl Ann Fulton, via Magnatune Compilation "" — James Edwards, via Magnatune Compilation "" —Muzaproduction, 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — Pantomime
12/05/2022
Backstory — Pantomime
It's the theater experience that's as rollicking and raucous as it is festive! And it's also mostly unknown to American audiences. Join Brian in this episode to hear all about the British tradition of Pantomime. Mentioned in This Episode Music in This Episode "" — The Mini Vandals, via Youtube Audio Library "" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — Monday Hopes, via Pixabay "" — Steve's Bedroom Band, via Musopen "" — Julius H, 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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Backstory — The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
12/02/2022
Backstory — The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Since the early 1930s, Rockefeller Center has been home to an enormous Christmas tree, elaborately decorated and introduced each season with great fanfare and spectacle. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has become America's Christmas tree. Christine Roussel, the official Archivist of Rockefeller Center, joins Brian to tell the tale of this iconic institution. Music in This Episode "" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "" — James Edwards, via Magnatune Compilation ""— Scott Buckley, via scottbuckley.com.au "" — Music for Videos, via Pixabay "" — Owl Glance, via Pixabay "" — Daddy's Music, 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 [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in touch [email protected]
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