Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1536 - The History of Christmas: From Solstice to Santa

On this special Christmas Day episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian slows the pace for a thoughtful and engaging conversation about where Christmas truly comes from. Joined by Jacqueline Murray, PhD, FRHistS, University Professor Emerita in the Department of History at the University of Guelph, the discussion explores how ancient solstice celebrations, medieval customs, and centuries of cultural storytelling shaped the holiday we know today. The episode examines how pagan rituals blended into Christian traditions, how St. Nicholas evolved into Santa Claus, why Christmas trees were once controversial, how the holiday was nearly banned during the Puritan era, and how Charles Dickens helped redefine Christmas as a season of generosity, charity, and community. A warm, insightful, and timeless conversation that reminds us Christmas has always been a living tradition — shaped by history, belief, and humanity’s enduring search for light in dark times.