Christmas - A Festive History

A talk by Andy Thomas

In a fascinating, entertaining and uplifting presentation, Andy Thomas uncovers the intriguing background to the festive season. From the ancient midwinter celebration of light to the marking of the birth of a Messiah, mid-December has long been a time for rituals and rejoicing. Yet the history of Christmas has not been straightforward; it was banned outright in Puritan times and its merry traditions splintered into many guises before the Victorians rehabilitated the festival into what it has become today.

Andy shows how, for all the commercialisation, we can still find meaning and enjoy Christmas today, keeping the flame of light alive in the winter darkness.

Andy Thomas is the author of Christmas: A Short History from Solstice to Santa, together with several books on Sussex history and folklore (including the Lewes Bonfire Night festivities). He is also a renowned researcher of paranormal phenomena and cover-ups and is author of the acclaimed Strange, The New Heretics, Conspiracies and The Truth Agenda which explore these. His many other books include definitive guides to the crop circle mystery. Andy extensively writes and lectures in Britain and around the world, and he has made numerous radio and TV appearances. UK spots have included BBC 1’s 
The One Show, Channel 4’s Richard and Judy, BBC 2's Esther and ITV's GMTV, as well as many other programmes around the world.