Osher Lifelong Learning Institute- Christmas Traditions

Cannon M. LaBrie describes the Origins of Christmas traditions. In the rituals and symbols of the Christmas season it’s easy to spot things—Yule logs, evergreen trees and lights, reveling, mummers, carols, wassailing, holly and mistletoe, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus—that are not mentioned in the New Testament accounts of the Nativity but instead derive from ancient and pagan festivals celebrating the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun on the darkest day of the year. This talk will discuss the origin of various Christmas traditions, the “true” identity of Saint Nicholas, who else shared the birth date of December 25, and why 200 years ago there was a “battle” for the control of Christmas and the holiday season. Recorded in Newport by NEK-TV.