Christmas: A Short History from Solstice to Santa

by Andy Thomas

Covering ancient ceremonies, mythology, the gospels, and traditions from around the world, this book uncovers the fascinating background to one of the biggest festive seasons—Christmas.

Have you ever wondered where Christmas comes from? Or why and how it has been celebrated throughout the centuries? This book takes you on an intriguing and entertaining journey through its social history.

Learn about the:

astrological associations
Nativity
excesses of the Roman festival of Saturnalia


Puritan ban of Christmas 
introduction and rise of gift-giving

origins and developments of Santa Claus


food and traditions from around the world
history of its stories, songs and symbols

Andy Thomas is a lecturer and author on folklore, histories and conspiracy theories and has made numerous appearances on radio and TV. Beautifully illustrated, this book tells the fuller story behind the sparkle and the merriment, and shows why Christmas has survived and still has meaning for us today.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, History, Classics, Holiday, Reference, Religion

144 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

Andy Thomas is one of the UK’s best-known authors and lecturers on unexplained mysteries and cover-ups, as well as writing on history and folklore, and is the author of the books The New Heretics, Conspiracies, The Truth Agenda and Christmas: A Short History from Solstice to Santa, among many other titles. He speaks extensively in Britain and abroad at both mainstream and 'alternative' events, and his books have been widely praised as the finest available overviews of their subjects.

Andy's latest book, The New Heretics, published by Watkins Publishing in December 2021, is a brave and timely stand for real freedom of expression and an encouragement to establish real understanding of all those who question orthodoxy, whether they are agreed with or not. A better way forward – one that doesn't sanction blanket censorship – must be found.

For three decades, Andy has investigated truth and mystery subjects such as conspiracy theories and the paranormal (covering crop circles, UFOs, ghosts and other enigmas), making them accessible and avoiding polarisation with tantalising middle-ground to evoke discussion. He has appeared on many popular TV shows on the BBC, NBC, History Channel, National Geographic Channel and other global outlets, and has had major UK spots on The One Show, Richard and Judy, Esther, GMTV, and Sky TV's hit series Pineapple Dance Studios. Andy regularly features on radio programmes and podcasts around the globe, and appeared in the theatrically-released US documentary Crop Circles: Quest For Truth.

Andy is author of seven other books exploring the unexplained, including Fields of Mystery, Quest for Contact (with the late Paul Bura), and the classic Vital Signs: A Complete Guide to the Crop Circle Mystery, which has been described by many as the definitive guide to the circle controversy and was nominated for Kindred Spirit magazine's 2002 Best Book award. His book An Introduction to Crop Circles is another consistent seller and was updated in 2011. Andy is also author of four books on Sussex (south east England) local history. He has written for many journals and magazines, including Kindred Spirit and New Dawn, and he regularly contributes to the popular alternative journal Nexus Magazine.

A very busy lecturer, Andy is renowned for his striking and persuasive presentations on the unexplained, conspiracies, and festivals and folkore. His seasonal lectures on the history of Christmas keep him busy towards the end of each year. He speaks extensively across Britain and has also presented in other parts of the world, including America, Australia, Brazil, Peru and many European countries. Andy has given several thousand lectures during his years of ongoing speaking engagements, making him one of the UK's most prolific speakers. Andy’s presentations have brought often marginalised subjects into public venues to great success, and he regularly addresses established organisations, as well as making regular appearances at alternative groups.

Andy is founder of the Changing Times truth and mysteries group (www.changingtimes.org.uk) and is also co-organiser and presenter of the celebrated Glastonbury Symposium, one of the UK’s longest-running alternative events (www.glastonburysymposium.co.uk).

Andy’s always balanced and perceptive views on unusual subjects have become widely respected for giving credibility to areas not generally given the coverage they truly deserve.

More information about Andy, with news, reviews, videos and details of forthcoming lectures can be found at his website: www.truthagenda.org

Reviews

[María · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro tan ameno como interesante.
Ha sido muy bonito leerlo en estas fechas navideñas, sobre todo por la preciosa y cuidada edición de Alma.

[Mayke ☕️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Press.

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This book works great if you're looking for some Christmas background.
Lots of information, and a broad look at Christmas and it's traditions.
The author focuses on traditions from all over the world, which makes clearer where my own traditions come from.

[Romelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfecto libro para conocer el origen de las fiestas navideñas, no esperaba que me fuera a gustar tanto porque es algo breve y creí que sería datos superficiales que ya todos conocemos pero no fue el caso.

El libro empieza con las tradiciones antiguas, no solo en Europa porque también son mencionadas algunos detalles de los egipcios, para pasar a los romanos y los cambios que trajo el cristianismo.
También se analizarán algunos elementos de la historia de la natividad, desde los personajes, el simbolismo y algunos hecho astrológicos que se creen están relacionados.

Después nos adentrará a como la navidad desarrollo todo tipo de tradiciones en Europa, que van desde cantos, decoraciones, cambios en los calendarios, cacerías, juegos, asuetos, regalos y carnavales que a veces se alejaban de su origen religioso. Por esto y gracias a la gran influencia puritana fue que la navidad perdió fuerza por algún tiempo así que el autor nos contará como la guerra civil inglesa, algunas publicaciones literarias y un nuevo rey trajeron las fiestas de vuelta.

Pero fue hasta el renacer victoriano que tuvieron estas fiestas, sin olvidar la labor de los cuentos de Dickens, cuando la navidad tomo la forma de lo que conocemos hoy en día; fue aquí que vino el auge de las tradiciones que vemos más cercanas a nuestros tiempos con los árboles decorados, los villancicos, las tarjetas de felicitación, los banquetes y la reunión familiar. Ya después la tradición se llevó fuera de Europa, con muchos extraños personajes navideños protagonistas del folclor de cada país. Aunque al final resulta un poco irónico que en el país fundado por los mismos puritanos que estaban en contra de ésta celebración, fue donde se cimentaron las bases capitalistas que ahora muchos critican.

Me gustó mucho la entusiasta reflexión que hace al final el autor, sacando un poco los prejuicios que ahora se tiene de la navidad, dejando de lado la excentricidad de las compras y los motivos religiosos. El autor nos presenta la navidad moderna como una oportunidad para compartir, buscando en el corazón de cada uno ese significado lleno de renacimiento y paz.

[Jessica✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a little bit of an information overload for me, but I do like the inclusion of not just the Christian/US concept of Christmas, also other countries and religions.
Plus, I mike the idea it gives readers, a chance to learn a lot about different faiths in a condensed form/paragraphs.
Overall, though, it’s a thick sluggish read for a short story.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas: A Short History From Solstice to Santa by Andy Thomas was one of the gifts in my stocking last Christmas, and it's absolutely right up my street. I'm a massive fan of Christmas in a secular sense, and so was really excited to learn more about my favourite holiday!

This book is an absolute dream for anyone who adores the holiday, Christian or not. It was absolutely fascinating to read! We learn how Father Christmas came into existence, and how he became what we know him as today. We discover the reason we bring in evergreen plantlife into our home, and the introduction of the Christmas tree. How giving gifts became a tradition, as well as Christmas cards. The I found the symbolism of the Nativity, and the things we tend to think we know about that story that are actually inaccurate, or not mentioned at all in the Bible, so interesting! It was so terrible to read about how Christmas was banned for a number of years, and celebrating made illegal. How Christmas as we know it today is very much down to the Victorians. We also learn the history behind the food we eat, why we sing carols, and so much more. It really is such a fantastic little book!

As a Pagan who celebrates Yule, too, I was really eager to read about Christmas' origins in Pagan celebrations. But while this is touched on at the start of the book, this is a short history and there is quite a lot to cover, so Yule, Saturnalia and other pre-Christian Winter Solstice and New Year celebrations are very briefly described. I found it a little disappointing, but honestly, this book covers so much, the book wouldn't be a short history at all if it went into too much detail! And to be fair, it gives ou enought information to start you off doing your own research and learning more.

I absolutely adored Christmas: A Short History From Solstice to Santa, and it's absolutely the perfect gift for anyone who really gets into the Christmas spirit.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise, massively informative, coherent, and entertaining work that gathers much of the interesting data that informs what we perceive as the Christmas season these days, in all of its dimensions.

The choice photos & drawings go a long way to support Thomas' various chapters, wherein he's giving the history of the holiday that would become Christmas, where/how it was different in other regions of the world, how those either supposedly or officially joined to form the current amalgamate, the war to rid the holiday, ironically set forth by Christians...that's just for starters.

Thomas seems keenly aware of the short-term attention span of some readers, because he doesn't linger long on any one subject--which must've been pretty tough, as I'm sure this is just a Greatest-Hits overview of the holiday's history--and the overall length here is exceptionally friendly for those who don't have a ton of time to read (or read slowly). The result is a work that treats you at every page.

I'm a fan of the cohesion between chapters, Thomas' enthusiasm, his research, and the overall product. There's no way you won't learn something. Give it a read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group -Ivy Press for the advance review.

[Jose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estupendo para leer con un té calentito en estas fechas.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a secular history of the cultural roots and traditions of Christmas. The author details the pagan roots, as well as impacts on Christmas celebrations from Catholic, Protestant, Puritan, and other religious groups. Additionally, there are historical details from numerous countries about various elements of Christmas - trees, gift-giving, Santa Claus/St. Nickolas, stockings/shoes, meals, misrule, carols, songs and written stories, etc.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO GOOD

[Tim Littleford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting tidbits in the middle of the book that I very much enjoyed. But the beginning of the book suffered from a bizarre obsession with secret zodiac meanings.

[LadyWineFieldReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at different points and aspects of Christmas and the days around this time of year. Not just looking at the Christian celebration but Pagan roots and the commercialization of it - with some other topics.

[Eduardo Boris Muñiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Thomas es un escritor británico que se propuso publicar un libro que cuente los orígenes de la Navidad, este libro salió a luz en el 2021 y llego a los lectores en español gracias a una edición tapa dura ilustrada hermosa de ALMA.

En este libro, más allá del origen católico de la Navidad (es decir el nacimiento de Jesús) se nos explica las celebraciones que antiguas civilizaciones tenían por las fechas de Navidad, como la iglesia expropio algunas de esas celebraciones para darle forma a la Navidad que hoy conocemos.
Pasamos por los romanos, griegos, egipcios, la edad media, etc. hasta llegar a nuestros tiempos.

A pesar de ser un libro de historia es muy ameno ya que el autor baja toda la información de una forma sencilla, y claro mucho de lo que cuenta es ya sabido si a uno le gusta un poco la historia.

Por esta misma razón es un libro bastante básico, por ejemplo, en la parte donde se cuenta que pudo haber sido la estrella de Belén (en caso de que realmente hubiera existido ese fenómeno), no se profundiza mucho en los fenómenos astronómicos posibles, solo se los menciona.

Lo mismo pasa con la Navidad durante las dos guerras mundiales, se mencionan algunas situaciones puntuales, pero no se profundiza en como lo vivió cada bando, como se fue desarrollando a medida que el conflicto avanzaba u otros datos que hubieran sido muy interesantes de leer.

Lo mejor del libro por lejos son las ilustraciones y fotos que acompañan la narración, son muy bonitas y la calidad es notable.
Destaco las ilustraciones de seres que acompañan a Papa Noel, unos seres diabólicos que cumplen la contraparte de Santa, es decir ellos se encargan de los niños que se portaron mal...

Resumiendo que se me hace tarde es un libro muy lindo de leer, que se lee en un tirón y que me parece sumamente adecuado para que por ejemplo un adolescente empiece a entender de donde viene la Navidad, que se empiece a interesar en la historia y en curiosidades que en última instancia lo van a enganchar a la historia en general.

Ni que hablar que es sumamente disfrutable para los adultos.

Nota 4 de 5

[George1st · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you think of Christmas what emotions, associations and memories are conjured up? For some it is the most eagerly awaited, magical time of the year, whereas for others it is a time to be endured through gritted teeth. Whatever your view of Christmas, one thing is for sure, it is almost impossible to ignore. But how much do we really know about its origins and development, its history and traditions? Now many of these knowledge gaps will be filled after reading Andy Thomas's fascinating journey through all things Christmas. From mince pies to carols, from yule logs to turkey, it is all there.

The history of Christmas is rather absorbing with its origins found in ancient festivals celebrating Midwinter and its eventual supplication by Constantine of the Roman festival of Saturnalia. It is surprising how very little content of the Bible is actually devoted to Christ's birth. Although largely focused on the UK, there are references to the Christmas tradition throughout the world. The book looks at medieval ‘misrule', Tudor unrestrained excesses and Christmas's practical disappearance under subsequent Puritan influence. Its reemergence very much a Victorian appropriation of existing German traditions. With its wonderful graphics and photographs the book will makes a sublime addition to the coffee table as guests arrive for some seasonal food and drink.. A perfect buy for this time of year.

[Dilena Lezpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un pequeño ensayo sobre la navidad. El autor ha logrado recopilar una gran cantidad de información, tejerla y exponerla estratégicamente.

El libro muestra la información de forma objetiva. Comparte los orígenes, las tradiciones, las culturas y los eventos que marcaron y crearon la navidad como la conocemos hoy en día.

"Cada lucecita brillante, no importa si se trata de una bombilla o de una vela, nos recuerda que el menor destello en mitad de las sombras puede levantar el ánimo y ofrecer una nueva esperanza para el futuro. "

Siento que la Navidad tenia que surgir, independientemente de donde y que la inspire.
Me sorprendió el impacto en la historia que tiene. La mezcla entre las leyendas y la realidad.
La necesidad que sentía la raza humana en homogenizar los sentimientos alrededor del mundo. Una celebración que te permite olvidar las penas y entregarte al espíritu navideño positivo y feliz.

"Esta sencilla ceremonia de renacimiento, que se repite cada diciembre marcada por las risas, la contemplación, la música, la generosidad de espíritu, la alegría y las comidas, ha sido un apoyo crucial para las culturas que la han celebrado mientras se enfrentaban a infinidad de pruebas y desafíos.

Traté de terminarla en navidad, pero fallé terriblemente. Me alegra haberla terminado un poco después, y apreciarla en frío.

[Lucy-Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched book, detailing the origins of many of the components/traditions that are now seen as an integral part of Christmas.
It is written from a secular point of view, and some of the "Christian aspects" of Christmas are given less prominence than you may expect (though we are reminded that the bible doesn't actually tell us how many wise men there were!) in favour of a heavy focus on the Roman & pagan origins, but there are references to Egyptian gods, the puritan ban of Christmas following the Civil War and the Victorian popularisation of Christmas trees!

The charming illustrations are a lovely addition to a book that will be a great addition to any family Christmas ... It's a book best read in small chunks and I can totally see that it could become a tradition in itself to bring this out annually to read part each evening or over the years with children as they grow & learn about new traditions

Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Jay Gabler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Thomas keeps to his promise of “a short history,” he covers a lot of ground in the compact volume’s 144 pages. He has to: how could any history of Christmas omit discussion of cards (the first was controversial because it seemed to show a child sharing adults’ boozy toast), presents, carols, Charles Dickens, Clement C. Moore, trees, Virginia, the Magi, and mistletoe?

They’re all here, in a parade of Christmas cheer that spans millennia. In the end, Thomas has a reassuring message: however you do your holidays, don’t worry that you’re doing it wrong. “Christmas can be what you want it to be, wherever you are, and whether your celebration is grand or modest.” You don’t even have to worry about whether your chosen holiday history is long enough. A short one will do.

I reviewed Christmas: A Short History for The Tangential.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and a lot of the trivia therein. It had some really fascinating origin stories of certain traditions, symbolism associated with the holiday both religious and secular, as well as the history of Christmas itself. I had no idea that Christmas was banned by the Puritans, nor that it took years to recover after the ban was lifted. I didn’t know that in order to “properly” use mistletoe, you should remove a berry after every kiss. And I didn’t know that Krampus was a real figure rooted in history, and not just some evil concoction of Hollywood. All of this and much more was found inside this book, as well as many pictures and illustrations to add further illumination. It gave me a very well-rounded understanding of Christmas, and despite the first part being a bit slow, I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended for a bit of extra festivity.

I received a free copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Salva · Rating 3 out of 5]

En puridad, 3'75 estrellas merece, a mi juicio, este breve repaso histórico de la Navidad. Curiosidades, anécdotas, misterios e historia constituyen el conocimiento que podemos adquirir con esta lectura, hilvanada sobre la base del decurso de los tiempos.
Como punto positivo puede señalarse que recoge circunstancias y tradiciones provenientes de distintas culturas, incluyendo nociones de la nuestra propia no ampliamente diseminadas ni comúnmente conocidas; que la lectura es ágil y sencilla; y que el enfoque espiritual, fundamentalmente sintetizado en su conclusión, es agradable y sereno.
Tal vez no se adentre en profundas disquisiciones sobre las cuestiones abordadas, pero no creo que sea necesario (ni tampoco la intención del autor) dado el carácter compendioso del libro.
En síntesis, una lectura rápida y recomendable para conocer curiosidades e historia de la Navidad, especialmente si se realiza en ese mismo periodo.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The History of Our Favorite Holiday

If you enjoy the Christmas season like I do, you will most likely enjoy this concise history of Christmas from its pagan roots to the Christian adoption of midwinter festivals to the Victorian revival of the holiday to Santa Claus and our modern take on the day and season. There are wonderful illustrations in the book, mostly historical, that show the flavor of the times. The book is surprisingly compact. The author has teased and tantalized with just enough information about each time aspect, but what wonderful things he has shared! You can tell that he truly loves the holiday, and in fact, the introduction tells us how much so. A thoroughly delightful read that will simply add more to the pleasure of the festive season.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was quite excited to read this book- one of my fields of study is the history of Christmas, and I'm always happy to see it made more available. However, this was incredibly brief. I think it could have been fleshed out a little bit more- Thomas covers the medieval and early modern quite well, but the nineteenth and twentieth centuries feel rushed and like an afterthought. He also did include any info about Gerry Bowler's works, who is one of the leading scholars on this history of Christmas, in the recommended reading section which I found odd. This book would be good if the reader knew absolutely nothing about Christmas, but needs more info for most people.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that Christmas was once banned in England and Scotland, or that Queen Charlotte introduced the Christmas tree to Great Britain? Andy Thomas relates these stories, and other interesting facs about Christmas in this charming and interesting book about the history of Christmas. I knew a lot about the history of Christmas already, but I learned even more from this book.

Thomas writes from a secular point of view, and annoyed me by using the modern abbreviations BCE and CE for B.C. and A.D. He also focuses somewhat on the Roman and pagan origins of Christmas. However, if you want to read more about the history of Christmas traditions, such as wassailing, carol-singing and Christmas greenery, this is a great book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas can be what you want it to be, wherever you are, and whether your celebration is grand or modest.

This was a cute little book to read just in time for the holiday season to begin. A lot of research clearly went into the creation of the book and the author seems to have a blast tracing the history of what the reader knows as the Christmas holiday and tracing it back through time. The biography and index excited the researcher side of me, but this was an easy and enjoyable read as well.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Reichard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I preferred Christmas A Short History From Solstice to Santa over Christmas A Candid History.

This book was very fact based and very little opinions or conversational text was used. That's normally my preference when reading something non-fiction. This book did not get into the commercialization of Christmas (which I think is a big factor for Christmas today) but it did provide quite a bit of history of ancient Christmas time all the way back to Solstice.

I liked that the book informs the reader about the evolution of Christmas and empowers the reader to make Christmas whatever they wish it to be.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This NF history of Christmas examines the development of the holiday season throughout human history, as well as the origins of many common Christmas myths and traditions.
I enjoyed the straightforward writing style and organization of this book. It was simple and interesting to read, and didn't feel bogged down with unnecessary detail- it was simple and informative, two important qualities in a nonfiction read. I also enjoyed the examination of traditions in various cultures and how they have developed and affected one another.
This was a fun way to get into the holiday spirit while learning a bit!

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a "First Reads" winner.

Perhaps a too short a look at Christmas … with a more emphasized reading of the season through a lens more "solstice" than "Santa"? I did find some facts of interest - like the Puritan ban on Christmas celebration and how it impacted the family and home - but the building of the Great Pyramids and how they "might" relate in some way to the three wisemen was a head-scratcher (hmmm …. ?).

I would have enjoyed Thomas' 'Christmas' more with more … it's difficult to say … something more substantive?

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW The Christmas Book by Andy Thomas is fantastic.

Its a well written, consise and well researched book with information about the history of the Festive Period. From Religious Ferstivals to Mythology and of course foods of the season.

A must read if you love the festive season. I loved all the beautiful pictures in the book as well.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quatro Publishing (Ivy Press) for the ARC. This review is my own opinion.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I confess I am obsessed with Christmas I love everything about it and can’t wait until the start of December to buy my real tree and get it decorated. If you are like me this book is for you. It is full of facts and story’s about everything you could possibly want to know about Christmas and all of the stories are accompanied by beautiful graphics as well. This is a must for everyone’s Christmas list.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent introduction to the concept of “Christmas”; but while I found the discussion of a Victorian Christmas and how it came to add so many elements to our present day concept of the holiday enlightening, I also felt that the many, and varied, pagan roots of a “Christmas-type” holidays were shortchanged in favor of more about the standard Christian adaptations of these far older traditions.

[Paula R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro que te da toda la información necesaria para conocer los orígenes de la Navidad. No se extiende en detalles ni se extiende innecesariamente en datos. Te lo explica todo de forma clara y amena, y es perfecto para meterte en este tema tan complejo. Es precioso y encantador, me ha gustado mucho.