Christmas Past
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.
Christmas Past
Backstory: The Mari Lwyd
The mostly warm, fuzzy, cozy, sanitized Christmas is mainly a product of 19th and 20th century American influence. In earlier times, Christmas had a spooky side — one example of which is the Welsh tradition of the ghostly gray mare: the Mari Lwyd.
Mentioned in this Episode
- Jeff Belanger
- The Fright Before Christmas by Jeff Belanger
Music in this Episode
- "John Barleycorn" — Julius H., via Pixabay
- "Dread Lake" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Mile Marker 323" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
- "Relaxing Acoustic - Noel" —Oleksii Kaplunskyi, via Pixabay
- "Dramatic Uplifting Cinematic Piano" — Yevhen Onoychenko, via Pixabay
- Additional sound effects via Freesound
Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago
Connect
- Facebook page
- Facebook group
- 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.