Christmas Past

Brian Earl

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 tenth 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 is the author of two books about Christmas: Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025) and Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022). Both are available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook (narrated by the author). Find them wherever books are sold.

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Dec 25, 2025 · 11 min
Christmas 2025
Merry Christmas! The festive season reaches its peak today. And for the tenth year in a row, I'm here on Christmas Day to take a look back. We'll reflect on the news and trends, the sights and sounds that made Christmas of 2025 what it was. Plus, a little report from Christmas Past headquarters, and a guest appearance from little Dashiell! Wishing all of your a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll see you all again in 2026! Music in this Episode "Deck the Halls A" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 23, 2025 · 14 min
Christmas Memories 2025 - vol 4
This episode arrives on Christmas Eve Eve. It's our final family gathering of the season, where members of the Christmas Past family share some of their favorite Christmas memories. Music in This Episode "Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay "Podcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing Vibes" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 22, 2025 · 11 min
The Secret Santa of Kansas City
A mysterious philanthropist spent more than 25 years handing out cash anonymously around Kansas City at Christmastime. Music in this Episode "I Knew A Guy" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "Elegy for Manush" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "The Agency Man" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Velvet Ladder" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Soft Piano Music" — Clavier Music, via Pixabay "A Very Brady Special" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" — Unnamed Artist, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 20, 2025 · 11 min
Christmas Memories 2025 - vol 3
We're at the end of the last full week of the Christmas season. Christmas 2025 is right around the corner. And today, we're back with another family gathering to reminisce about Christmases past. It's another visit dedicated to you and your Christmas memories! Music in This Episode "Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay "Podcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing Vibes" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 19, 2025 · 13 min
The Silent Night
During the Great War, the fighting briefly ceased on Christmas on some parts of the front line. The so-called "Christmas Truce" has become almost legendary. What really happened? Read some of the newspaper articles from 1914 and 1915 reporting on the story at the Library of Congress's Chronicling America archive. Music in this Episode "Drum Feature: Generations from the Simple Gifts Show" — The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, via Free Music Archive "Silent Night" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "Slowest Time" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress "The First Noel" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress "Silent Night" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress "Gentle Soft Piano | Christmas Vibes" — Alex Productions, via Free Music Archive Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 17, 2025 · 13 min
All of you on the Good Earth
1968 was one of the most tumultuous years in modern history. But one bright spot occurred on Christmas Eve: an amazing feat that captivated the world. Music in this Episode "Farewell" — Maarten Schellekens, via Free Music Archive "Endless Cosmos" — Serge Quadrado, via Free Music Archive "You'll Never Come to Dorset" — C. Diab, from the album Immerro, courtesy of Tonal Union records "Dawn Summit" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Cozy Jazz Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 15, 2025 · 12 min
The Hero of Dear Old Halifax
A tragic accident at Christmastime in 1917 gives way to a story of a heroic response, a lasting friendship, and a unique Christmas tradition. Read Walter's letter to Harold, described in this story. Music in this Episode "Carrier's Lullaby" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Quiet Serenity" — Lite Saturation, via Free Music Archive "Stay the Course" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech "Oh Christmas Tree" — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist "Relax Romantic Jazz Calm Soothing Home" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 13, 2025 · 11 min
Christmas Memories 2025 - vol 2
Boy, are we right in the thick of this Christmas season. Thanksgiving was just a little over two weeks ago. Christmas Day is just a little under two weeks from today. I suppose that makes it peak Christmas season. So, what better time to come together again for a Christmas Past family gathering? Today, it's another special episode dedicated to you and your Christmas memories. Music in This Episode "Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay "Podcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing Vibes" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 12, 2025 · 10 min
None Appeared More Astonished
A child's Christmas surprise for his family in 1902 became the stuff of myth and legend. Music in this Episode "Crystal Dreams" — Lite Saturation, via Free Music Archive "Silent Movie" —Anastasia Chubarova, via Pixabay "Dreadnaught Files" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Cannolini" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Lonely Christmas" — Snoozy Beats, via Free Music Archive "Calm Christmas Piano" — Clavier Clavier, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 10, 2025 · 14 min
The Weeping Waters
In 1953, a Christmas Eve train bound for New Zealand's capital city met a tragic fate. Music in this Episode "Ourselves at Least" — C. Diab, from the album Imerro on Tonal Union Records "Bucharest" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Cozy Winter" — Oleksii Kalyna, via Pixabay "Velejo" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Below the River" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Sad Sorrowful Documentary Music" — Ievgen Poltavskyi, via Pixabay "Venus Aire" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 8, 2025 · 11 min
When the Current Was Turned
In 1882, inventor Edward Johnson set up a one-of-a-kind Christmas display in his New York City home...and it changed the face of Christmas as we know it. Music in This Episode "Vessel Five" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "In the Saloon" — Piano Music, via Pixabay "Whispers of the Heart" — Lite Saturation, via Free Music Archive "Vessel One" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Sunday Morning" — Maarten Schellekens, via Free Music Archive "World of Dreams" — Tune Tank, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 6, 2025 · 12 min
Christmas Memories 2025 - vol 1
The Christmas season is in full swing. The tree is up. The carols are playing. The shopping and baking merrymaking of all sorts is here once again. We're all doing a lot of the stuff that Christmas memories are made of. And Christmas memories are what bring us together here today. This season on Christmas Past, I’m sharing your Christmas memories in special episodes dedicated just to them...like this one. I want to share one of your memories in one of the several other episodes like that will arrive in the coming weeks. Listen to the episode for details on how to be on the show! Music in This Episode "Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay "Podcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing Vibes" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 5, 2025 · 11 min
Homecoming
On a cold winter's night, a man working in a field saw an out-of-place object in the night sky. This is a Christmas story, but it's not the one you think it is. Music in This Episode "Below the River" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Dream Lodger" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Embrace Serenity" — Lite Saturation, via Free Music Archive "Mallet Play" — Maarten Schellekens, via Free Music Archive "The First Noel" — Clavier, via Pixabay "Greensleeves" — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 3, 2025 · 12 min
The Builder of Tomorrows
Inventor Reginald Aubrey Fessenden received hundreds of patents in his career. And one invention that debuted in 1906 changed Christmas as we know it. Music in This Episode "Agony and Ivory" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "The Cresting" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Tranquility" — Kevin MacLeod, via Free Music Archive "Peaceful Acoustic Guitar Instrumental for Relaxation" — Nicholas Panek, via Pixabay "Wholesome Original Lullaby" — Viktor Baikovskyi, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Dec 1, 2025 · 12 min
The Birthday Gift
Teenaged Annie Ide resented being born on December 25 because Christmas always overshadowed her birthday. But a unique birthday gift from an eccentric family friend would change the course of her life forever. Music in This Episode "An Early Sneak" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Taboret" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive "Calm Meditation, Good Sleep" — Lihn Pham, via Pixabay "Cozy Jazz Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay "Clean Soul" — Kevin MacLeod, via Free Music Archive "Sparkling Twilight" — Lite Saturation, via Free Music Archive Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Nov 29, 2025 · 5 min
Season 10 Announcement, Dickens Fair, etc.
Just dropping by with a quick hello, now that the season is in full swing. Today, I share an announcement about this season of Christmas Past, as well as share highlights from my annual visit to the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco. Plus...a surprise guest appearance! Music in this Episode "Working Time - Soft Acoustic Guitar" — Dream Protocol, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Nov 27, 2025 · 50 min
Story Time: Lucky's Grove
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! It's the kickoff to the main season of Christmas Past. What better way to get things going than with a cozy gathering around the fire for some old fashioned storytelling? Today, I'm back with a ghost story for Christmas. In "Lucky's Grove," when a Christmas tree is selected from a mysterious grove, strange and tragic events follow. Thanks to my friends at Biblioasis for once again giving me the opportunity to share this year's set of ghost stories with you. There's still time to buy hard copies of these beautifully designed editions of classic ghost stories. Music in This Episode "The Holly and the Ivy - Celtic Christmas Music" — Nate L, via Pixabay "Deep Relaxation" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Nov 21, 2025 · 30 min
Interview: Vaughn Joy, Author of Selling Out Santa
In today's episode, Vaughn Joy, Ph.D. joins Christmas Past to discuss how the social and political climate of the mid-20th century shaped the Christmas movies of that era. She's the author of the new book, Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy Music in this Episode "Happy Night Christmas Winter Jazz" — Music for Videos, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Nov 14, 2025 · 28 min
Interview: Thomas Ruys Smith, author of Searching for Santa Claus
Today, we welcome back a frequent guest on Christmas Past. Thomas Ruys Smith is a professor of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. He’s also a frequent guest on Christmas Past and the author of several books about Christmas history and literature. His latest is Searching for Santa Claus: An Anthology of the Poems, Stories, and Illustrations that Shaped a Global Icon. Music in this Episode "Jazz Christmas Music" — Pulsebox, via Pixabay Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Nov 7, 2025 · 28 min
Interview: Alonso Duralde, author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas
Today, I'm talking to Alonso Duralde, film critic, podcaster, and author of Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas (2nd Edition). Music in this episode "Our Minds Following" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive Connect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com Books Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)

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