Christmas : a short history from Solstice to Santa

Covering ancient ceremonies, mythology, the gospels and traditions from around the world, Andy Thomas 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 associationssymbolism of the Nativityexcesses of the Roman festival of SaturnaliaPuritan ban of Christmas Victorian-era revivalintroduction and rise of gift-givingorigins and developments of Father Christmasfood and traditions from around the worldhistory of its stories, songs and symbolsAndy is a lecturer and author on folklore, histories and unexplained mysteries 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.