On this episode of Our American Stories, Christmas today feels timeless. December 25 arrives with trees, carols, family dinners, and familiar rituals passed down for generations. But in early America, Christmas caused trouble. Celebrations spilled into the streets. Drinking, violence, and disorder followed. Some towns had had enough; they banned Christmas outright.

So how did a holiday once viewed as a public nuisance become a national tradition? The answer runs through shifting ideas about religion, culture, and social order, and through the work of an unlikely figure: Washington Irving. Author and biographer Brian J. Jones, known for his acclaimed works on Washington Irving, George Lucas, and Jim Henson, shares the story of how Christmas was reshaped into the holiday Americans recognize today.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Christmas today feels timeless. December 25 arrives with trees, carols, family dinners, and familiar rituals passed down for generations. But in early America, Christmas caused trouble. Celebrations spilled into the streets. Drinking, violence, and disorder followed. Some towns had had enough; they banned Christmas outright.
So how did a holiday once viewed as a public nuisance become a national tradition? The answer runs through shifting ideas about religion, culture, and social order, and through the work of an unlikely figure: Washington Irving. Author and biographer Brian J. Jones, known for his acclaimed works on Washington Irving, George Lucas, and Jim Henson, shares the story of how Christmas was reshaped into the holiday Americans recognize today.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

How Washington Irving Reinvented the Meaning of Christmas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d79df68f-4d9c-40b2-ac59-b3bb00abf4f3/transcript

Advertisement