Christmas Primer:
It may be hard to believe now, but Christmas was, once upon a time, a raucus, carnivale-type celebration. It was the late 1600s when Oliver Cromwell came into power in England that Puritanism became the hottest thing since sliced bread. The Americans, however, didn't really start to cotton to the celebration of Christmas until the 19th century. Since then, we've managed to turn the holiday into a Halloween thru New Years holly and egg-nog frenzied whiz-bang of a holiday.
Holiday-Themed Song of the Day:
"Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!", by the Skaggs Family from
A Skaggs Family Christmas (Skaggs Family Records, 2005). Ricky, the Whites, and family join together on this classic Christmas number.
Strange Christmas Factoid:
In 1828, the city of New York instituted its very first police force to respond to a riot that was taking place during Christmas. Rioting happened often during the 19th century around Christmas time in America, because unemployment was so high. People in the working and lower classes would take their frustration out during the cold Christmas season.
Gift of the Day:
A Christmas Together by John Denver & the Muppets (Laserlight, 1979). Yes,
the muppets. Oh come on. Who doesn't love turning on the
Muppets Christmas Carol and kicking back with a little hot, spicey apple cider? This CD takes that one step further by tossing in the beloved and squeaky clean American Folk singer/songwriters into the mix.
