Podcast
Christmas Past
Hosted by Brian Earl · EN
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.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Christmas 2025
Dec 2500:11:07Tap to summarizeMerry Christmas! The festive season reaches its peak today. And for the tenth year in a row, I'm here on Christmas Day to take a look back. We'll reflect on the news and trends, the sights and sounds that made Christmas of 2025 what it was. Plus, a little report from Christmas Past headquarters, and a guest appearance from little Dashiell! Wishing all of your a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'll see you all again in 2026! Music in this Episode"Deck the Halls A" — Kevin MacLeod, via IncompetechConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →Christmas Memories 2025 - vol 4
Dec 2300:14:19Tap to summarizeThis episode arrives on Christmas Eve Eve. It's our final family gathering of the season, where members of the Christmas Past family share some of their favorite Christmas memories. Music in This Episode"Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay"Podcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing Vibes" — Denis Pavlov, via PixabayConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →The Secret Santa of Kansas City
Dec 2200:11:44Tap to summarizeA mysterious philanthropist spent more than 25 years handing out cash anonymously around Kansas City at Christmastime. Music in this Episode"I Knew A Guy" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech"Elegy for Manush" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"The Agency Man" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Velvet Ladder" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Soft Piano Music" — Clavier Music, via Pixabay"A Very Brady Special" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" — Unnamed Artist, via PixabayConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →Christmas Memories 2025 - vol 3
Dec 2000:11:32Tap to summarizeWe're at the end of the last full week of the Christmas season. Christmas 2025 is right around the corner. And today, we're back with another family gathering to reminisce about Christmases past. It's another visit dedicated to you and your Christmas memories! Music in This Episode"Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay"Podcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing Vibes" — Denis Pavlov, via PixabayConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →The Silent Night
Dec 1900:13:29Tap to summarizeDuring the Great War, the fighting briefly ceased on Christmas on some parts of the front line. The so-called "Christmas Truce" has become almost legendary. What really happened? Read some of the newspaper articles from 1914 and 1915 reporting on the story at the Library of Congress's Chronicling America archive. Music in this Episode"Drum Feature: Generations from the Simple Gifts Show" — The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, via Free Music Archive"Silent Night" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech"Slowest Time" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress"The First Noel" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress"Silent Night" — The Victor Mixed Chorus, via Library of Congress"Gentle Soft Piano | Christmas Vibes" — Alex Productions, via Free Music ArchiveConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →All of you on the Good Earth
Dec 1700:13:03Tap to summarize1968 was one of the most tumultuous years in modern history. But one bright spot occurred on Christmas Eve: an amazing feat that captivated the world.Music in this Episode"Farewell" — Maarten Schellekens, via Free Music Archive"Endless Cosmos" — Serge Quadrado, via Free Music Archive"You'll Never Come to Dorset" — C. Diab, from the album Immerro, courtesy of Tonal Union records"Dawn Summit" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Cozy Jazz Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via PixabayConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →The Hero of Dear Old Halifax
Dec 1500:12:37Tap to summarizeA tragic accident at Christmastime in 1917 gives way to a story of a heroic response, a lasting friendship, and a unique Christmas tradition. Read Walter's letter to Harold, described in this story.Music in this Episode"Carrier's Lullaby" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Quiet Serenity" — Lite Saturation, via Free Music Archive"Stay the Course" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech"Oh Christmas Tree" — Don Maue, shared directly by the artist"Relax Romantic Jazz Calm Soothing Home" — Denis Pavlov, via PixabayConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →Christmas Memories 2025 - vol 2
Dec 1300:11:33Tap to summarizeBoy, are we right in the thick of this Christmas season. Thanksgiving was just a little over two weeks ago. Christmas Day is just a little under two weeks from today. I suppose that makes it peak Christmas season. So, what better time to come together again for a Christmas Past family gathering? Today, it's another special episode dedicated to you and your Christmas memories. Music in This Episode"Cozy Podcast Music with Christmas Bells" — Denis Pavlov, via Pixabay"Podcast Jazz Waltz Cozy Relaxing Vibes" — Denis Pavlov, via PixabayConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →None Appeared More Astonished
Dec 1200:10:55Tap to summarizeA child's Christmas surprise for his family in 1902 became the stuff of myth and legend. Music in this Episode"Crystal Dreams" — Lite Saturation, via Free Music Archive"Silent Movie" —Anastasia Chubarova, via Pixabay"Dreadnaught Files" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Cannolini" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Lonely Christmas" — Snoozy Beats, via Free Music Archive"Calm Christmas Piano" — Clavier Clavier, via PixabayConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →The Weeping Waters
Dec 1000:14:09Tap to summarizeIn 1953, a Christmas Eve train bound for New Zealand's capital city met a tragic fate. Music in this Episode"Ourselves at Least" — C. Diab, from the album Imerro on Tonal Union Records"Bucharest" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Cozy Winter" — Oleksii Kalyna, via Pixabay"Velejo" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Below the River" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive"Sad Sorrowful Documentary Music" — Ievgen Poltavskyi, via Pixabay"Venus Aire" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music ArchiveConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)
Transcribe →