Ep. 41 Christmas: How a Specific Religious Event Exploded Into a Worldwide Phenomenon
- Author
- Shea LaFountaine
- Published
- Sun 24 Dec 2023
- Episode Link
- None
In this episode, I explore the history of Christmas traditions including Santa Claus, stockings, and Christmas trees. I'll also uncover the pagan roots behind Christmas and examine how it has evolved from a religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ to a secular day of excessive spending. Chances are you've been celebrating Christmas your entire life, carrying out these strange rituals, without ever really knowing why. Better late than never!
www.historyfixpodcast.com
Sources:
- National Retail Federation "NRF Predicts Healthy Holiday Sales as Consumers Navigate Economic Headwinds"
- Pew Research Center "Modeling the Future of Religion in America"
- The New York Times "Is Christmas a Religious Holiday? A Growing Number of Americans Say No"
- Time Magazine "The Surprising First Fighters in the War on Christmas"
- Time Magazine "The Surprising Story of Christmas in the United States"
- Library of Congress "Immigration to the United States 1851 - 1900"
- Live Science "When Was Jesus Born?"
- History.com "History of Christmas"
- Encyclopedia Britannica "St. Nicholas"
- History.com "History of Christmas Trees"
- Smithsonian Magazine "The Legend of the Christmas Stocking"
- Business Insider interview with Christa Pitts
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