A Historical Christmas
Have you ever wanted to do some Christmas reading but you don't like reading fiction? Have you ever wondered about the origins of some Christmas traditions? Or wondered what holiday celebrations looked like in the past? Check out some of these books and DVDs exploring the history of this winter holiday.
A Vintage Christmas : A Collection of Classic Stories and Poems. by Various authors
During the hectic Christmas season, slow down with these heartwarming stories from some of literature's most beloved writers. In this collection, readers will discover lesser-known but tender stories and poems from classic authors they know and love. Each selection celebrates the beauty, mystery, and joy found in the season that commemorates Christ's birth. A Vintage Christmas includes stories from Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain, L.M. Montgomery, and Selma Lagerlof, as well as poems from John Milton, Christina Rossetti, William Makepeace Thackeray, Anne Bronté, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Christmas Greetings From the Presidents. by Various authors
Christmas Greetings from the Presidents takes a comforting, nostalgic look back in time to when Americans viewed the annual Christmas message to the nation as the embodiment of a national spirit of unity and goodwill through both the best of times and the darkest days of national trials.
In the Dark Streets Shineth : A 1941 Christmas Eve Story by David G McCullough
David McCullough relates a compelling story about the spirit of Christmas and the power of light in difficult, dangerous times. As war raged throughout the world, two leaders-- Roosevelt and Churchill-- delivered a powerful message that still resonates today.
Lucy Worsley's 12 Days of Tudor Christmas by BBC
Lucy Worsley recreates how Christmas was celebrated during the age of Henry VIII, eating, drinking, singing, dancing and partying as people did 500 years ago. On each of the traditional twelve days of Christmas, Lucy reveals a different aspect of the festivities, uncovering fresh insights into the Tudor mind and casting a captivating new light on Christmas itself.
The Carols of Christmas : A Celebration of the Surprising Stories Behind Your Favorite Holiday Songs by Andrew Gant
"The Carols of Christmas" shares the origins of twenty-one Christmas carols, including Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Away in a Manger, and The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The History of Christmas. by A&E Networks
A collection of 4 programs from the History Channel and the A & E Television Network that examines the history of Christmas, from pagan ritual to current traditions; looks at the legend of Father Christmas as it has changed through the years; unusual holiday celebrations across the United States are discussed; looks at technology for various aspects of Christmas.
The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas : Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil by Alan Ridenour
With the appearance of the demonic Christmas character Krampus in contemporary Hollywood movies, television shows, advertisements, and greeting cards, medieval folklore has now been revisited in American culture. Krampus-related events and parades occur both in North America and Europe, and they are an ever-growing phenomenon. Though the Krampus figure has once again become iconic, not much can be found about its history and meaning, thus calling for a book like Al Ridenour's The Krampus: Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil. With Krampus's wild, graphic history, Feral House has hired the awarded designer Sean Tejaratchi to take on Ridenour's book about this ever-so-curious figure.
The Official Downton Abbey Christmas Cookbook by Regula Ysewijn
Take a seat at the Christmas table of Downton Abbey, the historic British estate at the heart of the popular PBS series. Downton fans will appreciate this enticing collection of classic British holiday recipes from the Edwardian era, evocative narratives about Christmas traditions, and seasonal anecdotes from the award-winning series.
The True Meaning of Christmas : The Birth of Jesus and the Origins of the Season by Michael Patrick Barber
In "The True Meaning of Christmas," biblical scholar Michael Patrick Barber offers an inspiring look at the Bible's accounts of Jesus' birth and the development of the Christmas season. Along the way, he answers numerous questions, including: How is the Christmas story related to ancient Jewish expectations? Why is Jesus said to be laid in a 'manger?' Who are the Magi? What is the mysterious Christmas star? How did December 25th become the date of Christmas? How did Saint Nicholas become 'Santa Claus?' As Dr. Barber will show, to find our way home at Christmas, we need to first return to Christmas's home in the story of the Bible.
Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe : Christmas Traditions Explained by Michael P. Foley
In Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe, bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa's global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season's dark and ghoulish side.
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