Christmas

Christmas falls on 25 December with faithful inevitability. Indeed, our entire Western system of time is based upon it. It may seem as though it has always been this way, but like many facets of the holiday’s history, the date of Christ’s birth contains a complex story wrapped in controversy. Despite the deep traditions that bind each culture to its own version of Christmas – the pageantry, food and folklore – the longevity of the holiday has always depended on its ability to adapt. 
Christmas: The Sacred to Santa takes us on a journey from the day’s historical origins to its modern incarnation as a global commercial event, even taking in non-Christian nations such as China, Japan and North Korea. Along the way we encounter a vast array of religious personages, fictional characters and mythic figures that have become associated with its celebration, from St Nicholas to the Magi, Scrooge and the Krampus. Tara Moore explores how the great traditions such as Christmas trees, feasting and gift-giving emerged, as well as how Christmas has been portrayed in culture, from the literary works of Charles Dickens to the now annual bout of films and seasonal music – including traditional carols and the latest Christmas-themed chart hits.Christmas in its global context is a unifying but also divisive event, with tension between the sacred and the secular. Enchanting and compelling, this book reintroduces us to the holiday we only think we know.