ACF Middlebrow#5 The Great American Christmas

 

It’s almost Christmas and here at the American Cinema Foundation, we have a surprise-podcast, part of the series on middlebrow. We’re talking about how American Christmas came to be. My friend — and fellow Ricochet member — Eric Cook has the story for you, I’m just along for the ride. He goes from the Dutch in New Amsterdam to the family bounty Christmas of the ’50s, from New England to Pennsylvania and to the South, and back to Europe, ancient, medieval, and modern to pick up all the strands needed to weave together to make for a Merry Christmas. Listen, comment, and please share!

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  1. CB Toder aka Mama Toad Member
    CB Toder aka Mama Toad
    @CBToderakaMamaToad

    Very fun, gentlemen.

    In my own family, all my grandparents were immigrants, three from Ireland and one from England, all poor. Our family traditions are very American and Catholic, with 4 weeks of Advent, Advent wreath included, both Christmas tree and creche, stockings hung by the fire, and Midnight Mass.

    My Christmas stocking growing up (and still in my parents’ home), by the way, was the first article of clothing I ever wore. I was born in the early morning on Christmas Eve, and the nuns in the hospital had made baby-sized stockings to present the babies to their mothers in.

    If I can find the old picture of me in it lo! these many years ago, I will try to post it here…

    • #1
  2. CB Toder aka Mama Toad Member
    CB Toder aka Mama Toad
    @CBToderakaMamaToad

    Also, it’s a tad early here at Toad Hall, but when the kinder waken I will have some of them listen. I know the Boy will find it interesting. He finds most things interesting…

    Ah – Mr. Marty is up now, and I’ll have him give it a go…

    • #2
  3. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    CB Toder aka Mama Toad (View Comment):
    Very fun, gentlemen.

    In my own family, all my grandparents were immigrants, three from Ireland and one from England, all poor. Our family traditions are very American and Catholic, with 4 weeks of Advent, Advent wreath included, both Christmas tree and creche, stockings hung by the fire, and Midnight Mass.

    My Christmas stocking growing up (and still in my parents’ home), by the way, was the first article of clothing I ever wore. I was born in the early morning on Christmas Eve, and the nuns in the hospital had made baby-sized stockings to present the babies to their mothers in.

    If I can find the old picture of me in it lo! these many years ago, I will try to post it here…

    This is a lovely story. Those nuns had a great idea!

    I’m glad you enjoyed the story.

    I’m also looking for someone who knows as much about Catholics as Eric knows about Protestants, but I dunno. I’ve some Catholic friends who might, but they’re past busy this season…

    As to the rest, send the kids my love, tell boy to listen & become wise in the ways of the world, & I will try to write tomorrow, in the early hours, as I head off to the plane, to wish you a happy birthday, Happy Christmas, & all the best to everyone at Toad Hall!

    • #3
  4. St. Salieri / Eric Cook Member
    St. Salieri / Eric Cook
    @

    CB Toder aka Mama Toad (View Comment):
    Very fun, gentlemen.

    In my own family, all my grandparents were immigrants, three from Ireland and one from England, all poor. Our family traditions are very American and Catholic, with 4 weeks of Advent, Advent wreath included, both Christmas tree and creche, stockings hung by the fire, and Midnight Mass.

    My Christmas stocking growing up (and still in my parents’ home), by the way, was the first article of clothing I ever wore. I was born in the early morning on Christmas Eve, and the nuns in the hospital had made baby-sized stockings to present the babies to their mothers in.

    If I can find the old picture of me in it lo! these many years ago, I will try to post it here…

    What a wonderful story!  Those are the things to treasure.  Although Irish Catholics had it harder than most, at least Americans with Spanish Catholic traditions had more of a tie to their own culture and Anglo-American pressures left most of their holiday customs alone.  For the Irish, their Christmas traditions are heavily dependent on the English (because of the improvisment of the nation and English surpression).  But watch out, even the Advent wreath is a 19th century Protestant German invention!  So, one can’t escape the cross-pollination that is Christmas.

    • #4
  5. CB Toder aka Mama Toad Member
    CB Toder aka Mama Toad
    @CBToderakaMamaToad

    Right, which is why I think of our traditions as very American.

    • #5
  6. CB Toder aka Mama Toad Member
    CB Toder aka Mama Toad
    @CBToderakaMamaToad

    Here at Toad Hall, since one side of the family now is Jewish, our seasonal traditions also include the menorah alongside our Advent Wreath, and we say both “Maranatha” and “Chag Sameach.”

    Happy Challah-days!

    • #6
  7. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    CB Toder aka Mama Toad (View Comment):
    Here at Toad Hall, since one side of the family now is Jewish, our seasonal traditions also include the menorah alongside our Advent Wreath, and we say both “Maranatha” and “Chag Sameach.”

    Happy Challah-days!

    That’s wonderful!

    Maybe do a write-up about the way you celebrate the holidays?

    • #7
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