The World Encyclopedia of Christmas

Description

From the Abbot of Misrule (in medieval Scotland) to Zwarte Piet (in modern Holland), this is a truly comprehensive look at Christmas and all of its customs around the world. Like all the best encyclopedias, this extraordinary book is a reader's paradise, with more than a thousand fascinating and entertaining entries and close to 200 illustrations in black and white and full color.

The World Encyclopedia of Christmas contains articles on the history of Christmas baking, drinking, and merry-making, and Christmas dramas, music, literature, art, and films. It includes entries on the evolution of the Christmas tree and the Christmas card, on gift-giving and decoration of church and home. There are profiles of the many gift-bringers, from Santa Claus to Babouschka, and miraculous tales of the numerous saints associated with the season. And there are histories of seasonal celebrations and folk customs around the world, from the United States to Japan, from Egypt to Iceland.

Who, for example, knew the links between the Punch and Judy show and Christmas? That the medieval Paradise tree hung with tempting apples was the forerunner of the Christmas tree? About the Peerie Guizers, who terrorized the Shetland Islands, going door-to-door for Christmas charity? There are detailed accounts of mumming and wassailing, the Feast of Fools and the origins of eggnog. And of course stories of the Navtivity and legends of the Magi.

With beautifully illustrated accounts ranging from the pagan roots of Yuletide, through the birth of Christ, and the long and fascinating history of the festival ever since, The World Encyclopedia of Christmas is a rich and continually surprising array of religious and secularhistory, trivia, literature, and art. This wonderful book deserves to find a home with every family that celebrates Christmas.

Get the book

Amazon.com

Search the book

eBay.com

Search the book

Other editions

• 

  The World Encyclopedia of Christmas

  • 2012-10-23
  • 288 pages
  • Ebook
  • McClelland & Stewart

Similar books

• 

  Women in Early America: Struggle, Survival, and Freedom in a New World

  By Dorothy A. Mays

  Acknowledgments I want to give special thanks for support and assistance to: Jane Guthrie, John Auchter, and Kathleen Leighton, who read and helped with portions of the xvi manuscript. Rollins College, for leave time and generous ...

• 

  The Asian-American Almanac: A Reference Work on Asians in the United States

  By Susan B. Gall

  The King comes from the Chetris caste , and the ruling family of Rana is Chetris as well . The caste system has dominated Nepal since the seventh century , when it is believed that the ruling caste from India fled a Muslim invasion to ...

• 

  Notable Asian Americans

  By Susan B. Gall, Helen Zia

  Provides brief biographies of business executives, ambassadors, athletes, writers, lawyers, journalists, activists, politicians, scientists, artists, and educators

• 

  Man and His Symbols

  By Carl G. Jung

  Explores Jung's psychological concepts regarding the nature, function and importance of man's symbols as they appear on both the conscious and subconscious level

• 

  Asia and Oceania

  By Gale Group, Timothy L. Gall

  "These volumes will explain how Rwandans, Mayans, and Uzbeks live; and characteristics of Hmong Americans, Choctaws, Iroquois, and Ojibwas are described.

• 

  Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian

  By Barry T. Klein

  DRINKING CAREERS : A 25 - YEAR STUDY OF THREE NAVAJO POPULATIONS Stephen J. Kunitz & Jerrold E. Levy Illus . 296 pp . Yale University Press , 1994. ... DREAM QUEST : STORIES FROM SPIRIT BAY Amy J. Cooper Grades 3 to 7. Illus . 128 pp .

• 

  International Encyclopedia of the Sociology of Education

  By Lawrence J. Saha

  The sociology of education is a rapidly expanding area within sociology and in educational studies generally, and cuts across many other disciplines. The area is also often defined as the...

• 

  Encyclopedia of Southern Culture

  By William R. Ferris, Charles Reagan Wilson

  The American South is a geographical entity, a historical fact, a place in the imagination, and the homeland of an array of Americans who consider themselves southerners. The region is...

• 

  Encyclopedia of Native Tribes of North America

  By Michael Johnson

  Review of the previous edition: "A model of excellence in the art of reference volume publishing... Every public and school library... should acquire this treasure. It will remain the...

• 

  Building Powerful Community Organizations: A Personal Guide to Creating Groups that Can Solve Problems and Change the World

  By Michael Jacoby Brown

  Intended for individuals who want to start, strengthen, or revitalize a group to address a community issue, this indispensable guide includes a series of practical steps that help build a...