Table of Contents

Introduction Chapter 1: Ancient Christmas Inviting Christmas In Ancient Celebrations The Midwinter Solstice Sol Invictus and Saturnalia Ancient Madonnas The Nativity Story Mangers and Stables The Magi The Star of Bethlehem Signs In the Sky The EpiphanyChapter 2: The Beginnings of Christmas The Beginnings of Christmas The Advent of Advent The Evolution of Christmas Yule and the Wild Hunt Medieval Christmas Holly and Ivy Mistletoe and Wine Here We Come a Wassailing The Feast of Stephen Present Giving The Rule of Misrule Boy Bishops and Lord of MisruleChapter 3: Christmas Under Threat Christmas Under Threat Rise of the Puritans The End of Christmas Christmas Behind Closed Doors The Vindication of ChristmasChapter 4: the Season's Return The Season's Return Christmas Carols Shepherds and Partridges The Slow Recovery of ChristmasChapter 5: the Victorian Revival The Victorian Revival Prince Albert's German Christmas Christmas Trees The Evolution of the Christmas Tree World Tree Traditions Christmas Dinners Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding Games and Christmas Cards A Christmas CarolChapter 6: Father Christmas The Ascent of Father Christmas Santa's Many Guises Father Christmas Vs Santa Claus Sinterklaas and Krampus The Night Before Christmas The Proliferation of SantaChapter 7: the Modern Christmas A White Christmas Christmas In Wartime and After Christmas Shopping The Spirit of Giving A Moment of Stillness A Very Happy ChristmasFurther Reading Index Acknowledgements

About the Author

Andy Thomas is one of the UK's most experienced lecturers and authors on folklore, histories and unexplained mysteries. He has made numerous appearances on radio and TV, including BBC One's The One Show. He is renowned for his thought-provoking and entertaining books and lectures, and speaks prolifically to all kinds of audiences across Britain and around the world.