The Myths that Stole Christmas: Seven Misconceptions that Hijacked the Holiday

by David Kyle Johnson

Humanist Press is pleased to announce the forthcoming November 20, 2015, publication of Dr. David Kyle Johnson’s The Myths That Stole Christmas: Seven Misconceptions That Hijacked the Holiday (And How We Can Take It Back). In a tone that is both critical and conversational, Johnson critiques the frivolous consumerism, religious extremism and the “Santa Claus lie” that characterize Christmas today. But far from being a holiday Grinch, Johnson also presents his readers with a way to reclaim Christmas so that it can again be a time of joy and community, not an expensive and divisive obligation. Enclosed, for your perusal, is one advance review copy.

Johnson begins his book with a bold assertion: Many of us just don’t like Christmas. Or, we like it, but we wish it weren’t such a burdensome obligation. The Myths That Stole Christmas unpacks the cultural baggage that Christmas has accumulated, from the $12 billion of “deadweight loss” gifts purchased that recipients do not even want to the way in which the religious right has hijacked the season to erode the wall of separation between church and state. Along the way, Johnson’s meticulous research enlightens his readers about the history of Christmas and Santa Claus and their pagan roots, and explains how the Christmas traditions we take for granted, such as decorated trees and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, were invented. Johnson systematically debunks the myth that “The Santa Claus Lie is Harmless,” while suggesting a workable, positive approach for parents in a Santa-obsessed season. But in the book’s final chapter, Johnson addresses the most pervasive Christmas myth of all—that our current Yuletide habits are inevitable and we cannot change them. Instead of letting Christmas control us, it’s high time we took control of Christmas!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Christmas, Philosophy

174 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2015

Reviews

[Kim Stanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Christmas shouldn't own us, we should own Christmas."

[Bob Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnson intelligently guides us through the myths of Christmas:
the history of the holiday, the misconceptions of its meaning
and the misused context of it.
He carefully walks us through the elements of the contrived
"War on Christmas" showing not only there is no war but how this
bogus war was manufactured.
These pages are not merely dry myth-busting facts as they contain much
humor and wit. In the chapter on the myth of St. Nick, Kyle Johnson
reveals some of the charming conceptions of the chubby and plump elf
who climbs down chimneys and shakes like a bowl full of jelly.
The religious and secular reader can gain insight into this holiday by
reading this engaging page-turner of a novel.

[John C. Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light and compelling elaboration, discrediting common misconceptions of Christmas’ origins, traditions, social impact, and economic influence. Johnson’s minimalist approach offers accessibility to thorough arguments for a popular audience. I was mostly intrigued by the chapters on Christmas commercialism and the Santa Claus lie, where Johnson advances a compelling, seemingly counter-intuitive, argument for not lying to children about Santa. A succinct and entertaining read, ‘The Myths That Stole Christmas’ should be wedged between the book you’re reading now and the next-in-line on your reading list. Fit it in before Christmas arrives; you will not be disappointed.

[Michael McKeever · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed history of Christmas from a new perspective

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a far-ranging and impeccably researched book focused on Christmas, but touching on many other topics, including separation of church and state, economics, history of religion, language, and sociology. Parts of it were detailed rehashes of information I'd read many times before, but parts were quite new to me and interesting. The chapter on the origins of the Santa Claus myth was particularly informative; the author makes the case that Santa Claus is not at all based on St Nicholas.

The author claims initially that the book will end with advice about "taking back" Christmas, and I was dreading what that might amount to. I was pleased to see it was more along the lines of do what you want, don't tell others what to do, and consider not telling kids that Santa is literally real. I don't wish to "take back" Christmas, I find the holiday dreadful, and I wish there were more encouragement in the book for just dropping the holiday altogether, rather than transforming it.

I also wish the author were not quite so gentle with religion, most notably in the Santa chapters. I do think the Santa myth is very much like the God myth, I don't see any substantive difference in the preposterousness of either, and I know of a number of people who have become atheists through analogy with Santa. That's good, that's critical thinking. Maybe the parents who are worried that learning Santa is fiction might lead their kids to question God should give some thought to their own beliefs.

[Nick Gotch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an atheist who still enjoys Christmas I wanted to learn more about the secular and pagan roots of the holiday and this book hit it dead on the nail. It's full of historical references, with plenty of citations. It covers things ranging from the Ancient Roman celebrations and Yule, the "Christianizing" of Christmas, and the more recent developments often falsely attributed to much older times.
Beyond the origins the book does s great job tackling other Christmas myths, like the need to spend and telling children the Santa lie.
I'm very happy to have read this and would recommend it to anyone. Christmas should be a holiday to enjoy and the best way to do that is to disregard the "necessary traditions" when they work against that end and instead make the holiday what actually brings us the joy it should.

[C. Varn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read with quite a few interesting facts, and a perhaps a little bit too much speculation. The history around Christmas and its relationship to pre-Christian traditions is fascinating as well as the fact most Christmas traditions are less 150 years-old. There are several interesting historical facts in the book that I was unaware of, and the gentle but lightly sarcastic tone Johnson employs makes it highly enjoyable. I do think he may over-conclude in the "Santa Claus" origins section, but he does admit that this was actually the hardest to do research on as many misconceptions are reported as fact. A good read.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book belongs in the home of every family who loves to celebrate Christmas traditions - whatever their background or religious beliefs (or lack thereof). The book invites readers to do away with the more counterproductive aspects of our holiday traditions (e.g., our propensity to overspend), and most importantly, invites an opportunity to use Christmas as a unifying force in our society. It is meticulously researched but written in an accessible style. I can see it appealing to hard core history buffs and casual readers alike.

[Scott Humphries · Rating 4 out of 5]

With some spell-checking and a more expanded historical analysis, this could be a great book. Johnson tries to make the work both a historical review and a sociological primer. A little more of the former and a little less of the latter would, I think, greatly improve it. That said, props for having taken on the unpopular task in the first place. I enjoyed reading this.