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: Nutcrackers
Decorative nutcrackers — most often resembling a toy soldier, but available in countless other characters — are synonymous with the Christmas season. Why? It’s a story whose origins predate Christmas itself. And whose history involves a mining town, Napoleon, dance theater, and World War two. So...let’s get crackin’!
Mentioned in this Episode
http://www.nutcrackermuseum.com/
Music in this Episode
- "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies" — Kevin MacLeod, via Wikimedia Commons
- "March from the Nutcracker" — Trygve Larsen, via Pixabay
- "Chinese Dance from the Nutcracker" — Trygve Larsen, via Pixabay
- "Arabian Dance from the Nutcracker" — Trygve Larsen, via Pixabay
- "Wish Background" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
Order your copy today! Of Christmases Long, Long Ago
Connect
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- Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com
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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.