Episodes

  • Part 1 - Saturnalia and the Pagans/The Nativity/The Rise of Christianity

    Part 1 - Saturnalia and the Pagans/The Nativity/The Rise of Christianity
    Dec 28 2023
    The roots of Christmas began with the pagans in the Roman Empire. The birth of Jesus and the rise of Christianity drew from these ancient practices, and evolved through the late Roman Empire.

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    34 mins
  • Part 2 - Christmas During the Middle Ages

    Part 2 - Christmas During the Middle Ages
    Dec 28 2023
    In episode 2, we look at Christmas through the rise of Christianity and the Middle Ages.

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    44 mins
  • Part 3 - The Reformation, the Rise of England, and the Restoration

    Part 3 - The Reformation, the Rise of England, and the Restoration
    Jan 11 2024
    In this episode, we will focus on the time period of the Reformation, a brief history of England, and the Restoration. We'll go in-depth into the life of St. Nicholas of Myra, and he evolved into the modern-day Santa Claus. We'll also look at some of the first Christmas carols and plays that arose during this time, and one of the first established Christmas celebrations - Sinterklaasfeest.

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    51 mins
  • Part 4 - The Victorian Era

    Part 4 - The Victorian Era
    Jan 11 2024
    In this episode, we'll explore the evolution of Christmas after the Restoration, into the Victorian Era. We'll go in-depth on the influence of Charles Dickens on Christmas, as well as the role of literature in shaping the holiday, as well as the export of Christmas to the New World. We'll also examine contemporary Christmas Carols, the birth of the Christmas Tree as a centerpiece of Christmas traditions, and the invention of the Christmas Card.

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    44 mins
  • Part 5 - North America and the 20th Century, and Popular Christmas Music

    Part 5 - North America and the 20th Century, and Popular Christmas Music
    Jan 11 2024
    In this episode, we'll kick off with the rise of Christmas in North America, the invention of Christmas wrapping, the explosion of the Christmas card industry, and see Christmas through the American Civil War, and the two World Wars. We'll then turn our focus to the rise of radio as a means of entertainment, and go in-depth into modern Christmas carols.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Part 6 - Christmas TV and Movies

    Part 6 - Christmas TV and Movies
    Jan 11 2024
    In the final installment of this podcast series, we'll go in-depth on the first televised Christmas special, as well as the evolution of Christmas across television and cinema.

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    48 mins