Christmas Past is getting ready to return for the 2017 Christmas season with a fresh batch of stories behind your favorite holiday traditions. The first episode arrives on Thanksgiving Day. And this season has in store more of what you've come to love: fascinating histories, interesting guests, and Christmas memories from listeners. You can share your own by recording a voice memo on your phone and sending it to christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com.

Trailer — Christmas Past 2017 Season

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.&nbsp; 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!&nbsp; 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:&nbsp;Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025) and&nbsp;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.&nbsp;

Society & Culture

Kids & Family

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. 

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Trailer — Christmas Past 2017 Season

Trailer — Christmas Past 2017 Season

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