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Washington Irving’s Old Christmas: The Origin of Our Modern Christmas recounts his visit to Bracebridge Hall, the fictionalized but closely based estate modeled on Aston Hall in Birmingham, where he stays as a holiday guest of the benevolent Squire Bracebridge.

This cheerful book full of informative narrative poems takes the listener through ancient pagan traditions that inspired the celebration as we know it today. From the Roman Saturnalia to Norse Yule, from Persian god Mithras to Jesus Christ, there are fables, symbols and lessons to learn that the book eloquently relays. Christmas tree, christingle, mistletoe, Santa Claus, mince pie, stockings, angels, wreaths, turkey—all come to life in fun trivia stories.

Every December, the internet explodes with bold claims that Christmas is nothing more than a remix of ancient pagan festivals. Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, Yule, Mithras, Horus — you’ve heard the accusations. “Jesus is just a copycat.” “Christians stole December 25 from the pagans.” “The Christmas tree is pagan.”

The nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture. As we contemplate the Christmas story, we are invited to set out on a spiritual journey, drawn by the humility of the God who became man in order to encounter every man and woman. We come to realize that so great is his love for us that he became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with him.