Saturday, September 8, 2018

Another British invasion--Victorian influence on American Christmas Traditions

by Kathleen L. Maher

In a previous post, I wrote about New York writers Washington Irving and Clement C. Moore, and how their literary works shaped modern lore surrounding Santa Claus and stockings hung by the chimney... etc. But a significant influence on the way we celebrate Christmas today came from across the pond, and cemented many traditions still practiced. From Prince Albert's trees at Buckingham Palace to the decorations that made them twinkle and shine, to Christmas greeting cards, caroling and gift giving, we owe much of our festivity and merry-making to the Victorians.


The Victorians loved their music. Before the Victorian Age, the cost of pianos and organs would have been prohibitive in the home, but among the middle and upper classes a new opportunity arose to gather around parlor instruments and sing. Both secular and sacred, a new form of song arose in carols. The ancient English custom of the waits, traveling house to house singing for one's supper, transformed into a new and lighter-hearted wassail. Secular tunes were recomposed with sacred lyrics and sung in church as Christmas hymns. Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Away in a Manger for example, retold the story of the first Christmas in song. But just as popular were songs like Jingle Bells and O Christmas Tree which celebrate the simple joys of the season.

Queen Victoria may not have originated such iconic associations as mistletoe or Father Christmas, but there was a remarkable renaissance of these charming legends during her reign. Gone were the days of Cromwell who choked out every reference to Catholicism with an iron fist, including gift giving, holiday feasts, and reverence for Saint Nicholas. Victoria and Albert seemed to relax old taboos and usher in an era of simplicity and celebration, particularly where it concerned the joys of children. Maybe this renewal was as much due to writers such as Charles Dickens, whose Pickwick Papers and later work A Christmas Carol depicted charity, dancing, banquet tables, family gatherings, and renouncing curmudgeonly behavior. 


The Kissing Ball, an arrangement involving mistletoe, holly, ivy, and berries, symbolizes the return of pagan evergreen symbols of hope of spring and life, and made its reappearance in the Pickwick Papers. One version of this charming tradition that had its roots in fertility rites, has couples picking a berry from the arrangement each time they kissed beneath it, leaving it eventually empty of fruit. Father Christmas' return from the ban imposed during the Commonwealth period came in A Christmas Carol. The Spirit of Christmas Present would have been easily recognized by any man, woman or child of England as Father Christmas, with his wreath crown, his fur robe, and his merry persona. Between Dickens' writings in England and Moore's in New York, the idea of Santa Claus and Father Christmas started to meld. Father Christmas changed his cloak from green to red somewhere in the mid-century and started placing gifts in stockings.

Yet another Christmas tradition came during the early years of Victoria's reign. The first Christmas greeting card was ordered in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole who commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley. His work was reproduced into 1000 prints and distributed to business associates and friends to wish them good fortune. 


In my Victorian Christmas novella, "Love Brick by Brick", English traditions collide with American folklore in 1857 New York. The aristocrat and the lowborn square off. Romance emerges amid music, popular literature, charity, and leaving aside pride and the failings of the past. Two people of vastly differing backgrounds find they are drawn to build a future together, tying the threads of the old in with new possibilities.

To celebrate the launch of my first traditionally published story this month, I am offering one of Barbour Books' gorgeous paperback copies of Victorian Christmas Brides to one lucky visitor. Random (dot) org will draw one winner on Monday, Sept 10. Be sure to leave your email so I can notify you. (US residents only)

To enter, answer this question:
What is your favorite Christmas carol or song, and what memories does it evoke when you hear it?



Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. Her novella "Love Brick by Brick", released in the 2018 Victorian Christmas Brides Collection, featuring her hometown of Elmira, New York. She won the ACFW Genesis contest in 2012 for her Civil War story The Abolitionist’s Daughter. Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband, children, and a small zoo of rescued animals.
Follow Kathleen:
on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KLMaherAuthor/
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and on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/kathleenlmaher









37 comments:

  1. The first hymn that comes to mind is "O Come, All Ye Faithful". I have no particular memories attached to that. My favorite more current song is "Mary, Did you Know?". Thanks for the post! bcrug(at)twc(dot)com

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    1. I can’t think of a single bed Christmas songs. Those are two beautiful ones. Thanks for visiting Connie. Good luck in the draw

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  2. The first time I heard Silver Bells I was riding to town with my grandmother. All of the rest of the kids had to stay home. I felt really special. fishingjanATaolDOTcom

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    1. Jan I love that memory. That sounds like such a special moment. Thank you for sharing. Good luck in the drawing

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  3. While I love all Christmas songs, I think my favorite is O holy Night. My biggest and longest memory is singing these songs at church with my dad. He's no longer with us, but the memories are still there. He dang bass and was also the church song leader for many years. Definitely good memories. jumpforjoy at gmail dot com

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    1. Sometimes I hate my phone and auto correct. That should be he sang bass. 🙂

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    2. That’s a beautiful memory Joy. I bet you can still hear his voice in your heart. And yes AutoCorrect and I have gone many rounds LOL thanks for entering. Good luck

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  4. Silent Night. i remember my late grandmother sitting next to me at christmas eve candlelight service and she would sing it in german. aelinderman at sbcglobal dot net

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    1. Amy that’s so precious. I bet she was a great woman of faith. And it’s beautiful she passed it onto you. Thanks for sharing. Good luck in the contest

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  5. Silent Night is the hymn that I associate with Christmas. As a child we sang it and Away in a Manger in all of our Christmas programs at church.
    Thanks for a great post.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. There’s nothing like the old Christmas hymns. They are my favorite, especially in a candlelight Christmas Eve service. Now I’m getting all nostalgic :-) thanks for entering. Good luck!

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  6. I must say I don't have a favorite, I love them all. They just bring calmness and peace to me.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Wendy you are a girl after my own heart. Some of my favorites don’t even have lyrics, like Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas music.

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  7. I love the plaintiff melody of O Come, O Come, Immanuel ! It evokes the God With Us theme. I remember plays we put on at Church when the kids were little. Modern would be Mary Did You Know. It brings trears to my eyes and thankfulness to my heart! Thanks for the post and the chance to win. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. There is something almost haunting about O, come O come Emmanuel That evokes the mysterious ways of God. It’s beautiful especially when many voices are singing. One of my favorite modern Christmas songs is Strange Way to Save the World, From Joseph’s point of view.
      Thanks for your reply Paula. Good luck in the drawing

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  8. My new favorite is Mary Did You Know. My old favorite is O Holy Night. Thank you for all the Christmas history.

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    1. Hi Deborah. In high school The honor solo was always O Holy Night. Only the very best singer got to sing it. It’s always seemed to hold a place of honor for me, maybe because of that.

      Mary did you know seems to be a favorite :-) thanks for sharing. Good luck in the drawing

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    2. Sorry Debra. Speech to text changed the spelling of your name just as I was sending it LOL

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  9. My favorite Christmas song is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! It reminds me of Choir in school that I joined because I love to sing. Not well, but I love to anyway.

    princessdebbie1_2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I don’t know who said this first but I’ve heard the expression he who sings praises twice. I love to sing too. My poor family LOL but I think God hears our hearts

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  10. One of the first Christmas Carols that come to mind is Silent Night, Holy Night. I enjoy the beautiful history behind this song.
    A more current song is Mary Did You Know by Mark Lowry with him singing this song. There are many who has recorded this song, but Mark sings it from his heart with his inspiration to write this beautiful song.
    Thank you for the giveaway, Kathleen. Blessings
    marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. I love the old songs Maryland. I still have a special place in my heart for Nat King Cole’s Silent Night. I play him and Andy Williams and some Bing Crosby every Christmas. It wouldn’t feel like I celebrated without it :-)

      Thank you for entering. Good luck

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  12. I love Christmas music which is probably why I love the winter season when I hear Christmas carols on the radio. It's hard to choose a favorite. I will say though that there is one song my family enjoys. The Gloucestershire Wassail Song. My parents, my husband and I, and my children made several annual attendance at the Golden Bough concert and craft fair in Auburn. We love sing-a-longs, and the wassail song has a great tune and rhythm to sing. Great memories. bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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    1. Bonnie I’m going to have to go to YouTube and listen to this because I don’t know it by title, but something tells me I will know it when I hear it. What a great memory to share. Thank you! Good luck in the contest

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  13. My new favorite It's been out a couple years.), is "Adore" by Chris Tomlin. How I love it! It makes think of my Savior.And, also why we celebrate Christmas. I play it all year long and not just at Christmastime.

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    1. Megsmom, This is another one I’m sure I have heard but I don’t know it by title. I love Chris Tomlin anyway :-)

      Now I’m in the mood to make Christmas crafts and listen to my Christmas Pandora radio!

      Good luck in the contest

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  14. Mary, Did You Know by Pentatonix touches my heart. So beautiful!

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. Oooh, pentatonix is amazing. I love a capella. Good choice!

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  15. Silent Night, Holy Night is probably my most favorite Christmas song. It reminds me of why we celebrate, the birth of Jesus!

    Thank you for the giveaway chance for this beautiful book!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. In high school choir we sang a round with Silent Night and this other melody “Peace on Earth” and it was so beautiful. We walked down into the auditorium with candles. I can still feel the hush.

      Thank you for your kind words Trixi. Good luck in the contest

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  16. There are so many that come to mind. I attended a Christian school from K-8, and every year we practiced, re-learned, and sang Christmas hymns for weeks. I love the many hymns and carols! The first one to come to mind is Joy to the World, often the recessional for the service. Oh come, oh come Emmanuel is another favorite. Oh Holy Night is so beautiful, as it reminds me of how timeless the lyrics and music are to feel the need for, and receiving of, our Redeemer. Away in a Manger appeals to many children, as He was born, worshipped, rules, and reminds us that we have invited Him into our heart. Sorry, I know thst's more than one! The music of Christmas and Easter are so important to me. Thank you for the chance to win! Jeanie Dannheim, jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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    1. I’m just like you Jeanie. It’s hard to pick one favorite. It’s amazing how music weaves so intimately into our lives. I can’t imagine Christmas without the soundtrack I’ve grown to love.

      Good luck in the contest

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  17. Do you hear what I hear. Love that song as it reminds me of the joy of His birth and start of His journey to reconcile us to God. annby(at)centurylink(dot)net

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    1. Andrea that’s a great one. It’s a challenge to sing – – so many different verses to memorize :-) good luck in the drawing

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  18. Thank you once again to all of you who left comments about your favorite Christmas music. I really enjoyed reading each one. I’m so excited about Christmas this year.

    My winner selected by random dot org is Trixi O. Congratulations Trixi! I’ve contacted you by email.

    Be sure to watch for my next stop on my blog hop I have tons of giveaways left on the tour. Find the complete list on my author page fb.com/KLMaherAuthor

    Blessings!

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    1. Wonderful! Thank you Kathy, I'm going to enjoy this collection!!

      Reply sent 😊

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