Christmas in Ritual and Tradition: Christian and Pagan

"In this volume I have tried to show how Christmas is or has been kept in various lands and ages, and to trace as far as possible the origin of the pagan elements that have mingled with the Church's feast of the Nativity." --Clement Miles, from the Preface, 1912

Christmas in Ritual and Tradition--Christian and Pagan (1912)--illustrated with 4 colored plates--by CLEMENT A. MILES describes the Christmas traditions throughout the old European Christmas season, from November to Epiphany in early January, including the customs of Christmas cards, feasting and drinking, gifts, and the Christmas tree.

Miles also highlights the pagan roots and rituals during the same season in several European countries from Klöpfelnächte during Advent in southern Germany; the log as center of Christmas celebrations among the Southern Slavs; the supernatural Christmas visitors, Kallikantzaroi, in Greece, and the St. Nicholas celebrations in Holland.

The result is--even a hundred years after its publication--a must-read for scholars and those interested in the fascinating history of the most important holiday in the Western world.