Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe

Christmas Traditions Explained

De: Michael P. Foley

Narrado por: John McLain

From the famed author of international bestseller Drinking with the Saints, every Christmas tradition explained and celebrated, as well as a glimpse into all the sometimes macabre and always fascinating nooks and crannies of the holiday. Deepen your knowledge of and love for Christmas!

The definitive guide to every question you’ve had about the Christmas holiday—and many more you’ve never thought to ask!

In Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe, bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa’s global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season’s dark and ghoulish side.

Witty, imaginative, and wholly unique, Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe is the stocking stuffer that will be revisited every year.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Michael P. Foley (P)2022 Oasis Audio

A Curiouser Christmas

The world of Christmas traditions is a far more strange, dark, and utterly delightful realm than I ever imagined. As a convert to Catholicism, my awareness of the range and depths of the holiday was, I thought, already greatly expanded from my sweetly simple childhood understanding of the Nativity story and cultural indoctrination in material gluttony and hollow nostalgia that all good Americans possess. I had NO IDEA what I was in for when I started this book.

First off, the charming cover and title are somewhat misleading. This is a through-the-looking-glass book where you meet so many odd, delightful, and disturbing characters (real and imagined), historical events, and funny practices that began innocently enough, but spun and whirled out of all recognition, it is a wonder the history is traceable at all! Barbara branches, the Devil's Funeral, the Gavle Goat, Dickensian goblins, cannabalistic Christmas werewolves, Chestertonian illuminations, Shakespearian explications, and encyclopedia of Christmas carol origins and another of foods, Miracle plays, and yes, the mistletoe... it's all here to sample or read right through. Untangling origin stories is Foley's strong suit and drink, and he delivers them with his signature flair, wit, attention to detail, and delight in storytelling. While I must admit I rather hoped Foley would be the reader for the audiobook, the narrator does a wonderful delivery.

This is not the flattened Christmas you've seen on TV. It's a bullseye shot straight through to its true heart. It is living, glorious, earthy, mould-laden, fire-sparking, piercing light, pure joy in fullness.

A thousand thanks, Michael Foley, and a Merry Christmas.

Wrong voice for Christmas

The narrator was the wrong voice for this type of Christmas story - he would have been better in a drama or murder mystery. Never really got through that.