Christmas Past

By: Brian Earl
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • 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 ninth 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 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!
    © 2024 Christmas Past
    Show more Show less
Children's Audiobooks Social Sciences
Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • Your Christmas Memories 2024

    Your Christmas Memories 2024
    Dec 17 2024

    Once again it’s time for one of my favorite traditions here on Christmas Past: dedicating an entire episode to you and your Christmas memories! I love these little glimpses into other people’s lives, families, memories, and all the different ways that Christmas can be celebrated and loved and made special and personal. So, get cozy. You’re invited to another Christmas Past family gathering, and trip down memory lane.

    Music in this episode

    • "Cozy Jazz Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay
    • "Relaxing Piano / Lofi Music" — John Tramp, via Pixabay

    Connect

    • Facebook page
    • Facebook group
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky
    • 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.

    Show more Show less
    16 mins
  • Backstory: Ivy

    Backstory: Ivy
    Dec 16 2024

    For a long time, ivy conjured images of all things pagan, superstitious, gluttonous, debauched, and morbid. For those reasons, it would be forbidden from churches and Christian homes. Today, it's a classic symbol of Christmas. Sue Hunter joins Brian to tell this uniquely Christmassy turnaround story.

    Thank you to composer Sarah Cattley for permission to share the beautiful rendition of "Ivy, Chief of Trees it Is," performed by the Granta Chorale and conducted by Janet Wheeler.

    Music in this episode

    • "The Holly and the Ivy" — Jerome Chauvel, via Pixabay
    • "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" — Jon Sayles, via Royalty Free Music
    • "Christmas Night" — Floating Dreamer, via Pixabay
    • "Oh Holy Night" — Calvin Clavier, via Pixabay
    • "Luminous Rain" — Kevin MacLeod, via Youtube Audio Library
    • "Ivy, Chief of Trees it Is" — Sarah Cattley, used with permission from the composer

    Connect

    • Facebook page
    • Facebook group
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky
    • 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.

    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Backstory: Gremlins

    Backstory: Gremlins
    Dec 13 2024

    Forty years ago, audiences got into the Christmas spirit by watching a little green creature get killed in a blender. Gremlins was more than a movie that combined horror, comedy, gory violence, and Christmas. It was a massive a pop culture phenomenon, and one of the last movies of its kind to be rated PG. Alonso Duralde, film critic, podcaster, and author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas and Hollywood Pride joins Brian to discuss this iconic 80's hit.

    Music in this episode

    • "Granite Faces" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
    • "Hope Piano" — Anastasia Kir, via Pixabay
    • "Notche" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
    • "Wish Background" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
    • "Movie Theme 1" — Christian Bodhi, via Pixabay

    Connect

    • Facebook page
    • Facebook group
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky
    • 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.

    Show more Show less
    12 mins

What listeners say about Christmas Past

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Melissa Donnelly

I just the small moments of christmas

This podcast is so amazing! give it a try and be transported to the traditions of the past.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Daniel S. Russell

Wonderful and informative trips down a snow-covered memory lane!

I love the variety of topics and listener interaction. Brian sure does his research, and he genuinely seems to enjoy it!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!