Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins

The fascinating stories and origins behind Christmas traditions such as the colors of red and green, the Christmas tree, caroling, nativity scenes, the Yule log, gift-giving, stockings, advent wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.
The cheer of a crackling hearth fire. Colorful cards from friends and loved ones. An evergreen tree festooned with ornaments. The golden traditions of Christmas—gifts, wreaths, stockings, carols, mistletoe, and more—infuse our celebration of the season with meaning and glowing memories. And, in ways you may not realize, they point us to the birth of Christ. Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas reveals the people, places, and events that shaped the best-loved customs of this merriest of holidays. Here are spiritual insights, true-life tales, and captivating legends to intrigue you and your family and bring new luster and depth to your celebration of Jesus’ birth. Discover how 

• after eighteen centuries of all but ignoring the event, churches began to open the door for believers to commemorate Jesus’ incarnation.
•  the evergreen tree, once a central theme in the worship practices of pagan cultures, came to represent the everlasting love of God.
•  the magi’s three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—are filled with spiritual symbolism.

The traditions of Christmas lend beauty, awe, and hope to the holiday, causing people all over the world to anticipate it with joy. The stories in this book will warm your heart as you rediscover the true and eternal significance of Christmas.

My Review: 

Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins is a wonderful hardback book about the history of Christmas. There are twenty-six chapters that are arranged in alphabetical order with topics like Advent, Decorations and Ornaments, and the Yule Log. Each chapter tells the history of the topic and how it has changed over time. The book takes you around the world with the traditions of Christmas. 

I was so excited to find this book. Last Christmas our son was fighting cancer, and this Christmas we decided to embrace Christmas in a new way. Mr. Collins has a wonderful writing style where you feel you are coming into a personal discussion with him about the history of Christmas traditions. This book is very readable and perfect for children ages five to one hundred and five. 

The chapters are the perfect length to read aloud to your family and you do not need to read them in order. We have been choosing a topic from the table of contents and then reading aloud. There are lovely black and white illustrations that enhance the text. I found myself looking at the Christmas trees in the aisles of Costco differently after reading this delightful book.

I highly recommend Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas for your entire family. It will help you embrace the Christmas season and learn the origins of the traditions.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”