The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas [Hardcover]

John Matthews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998

Many people long for an alternative to the commercial industry Christmas has become. This illustrated, full-color book, brimming with folklore, stories, recipes, games, activities, decorating ideas, and songs, will help families who are burned out on Christmas create celebrations more in keeping with the heartful spirit of the original Winter Solstice festivals.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This beautiful illustrated book by Celtic and Arthurian folklorist John Matthews (Classic Celtic Fairy Tales, LJ 1/98) presents the history of modern Christmas rituals. Trying to combat the commercialization of Christmas, Matthews explains how the solstice is celebrated around the world and how the dates of Christmas are different in different cultures. He discusses the traditions of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, and others, including mention of a short story featuring Santa Claus's evil twin, Bob. Also included is information on the Twelve Days of Christmas, solstice animals, and celebrations. Each engagingly written chapter contains a celebration for readers to try themselves. Highly recommended for public libraries and undergraduate collections emphasizing folklore, sociology, and religion.AGail Wood, SUNY Coll. of Technology Lib., Freeville, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

JOHN MATTHEWS HAS BEEN A PROFESSIONAL WRITER SINCE 1980 AND HAS PRODUCED OVER FORTY BOOKS ON THE ARTHURIAN LEGENDS, ESOTERIC WISDOM, AND THE GRAIL, AS WELL AS NUMEROUS SHORT STORIES AND A VOLUME OF POETRY. HE AND HIS WIFE CAITLIN CO-AUTHORED A PIONEERING STUDY OF THE WESTERN MYSTERY TRADITION, WHICH HAS REVOLUTIONIZED CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TO THE ANCIENT BRITISH MYSTERIES. TOGETHER, THEY CREATED THE BESTSELLING ARTHURIAN TAROT, WHICH HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO SEVERAL LANGUAGE. JOHN ALSO ADVISES ON FILM PROJECTS. BETWEEN 1989 AND 1992 HE CO-ORGANIZED THE MERLIN CONFERENCE. HE IS MUCH IN DEMAND AS A SPEAKER IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835607690
• ISBN-13: 978-0835607698
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #685,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Holidays

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars extensively rich and historical review of winter customs, February 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful text full of history and thought, and beautiful illustrations. The author extensively explores the origins of numerous Christmas traditions,e.g., lights, evergreens, yule logs, etc. by tracing these customs to the occurance and celebration of the winter solstice, and in later history, to many Roman celebrations. The text adds greater richness, understanding, and appreciation to many Christmas traditions. The author also offers suggestions for celebrating the winter solstice as the important celestial event that it is.

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, January 19, 2003

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas (Hardcover)

Very complete with history and lore as well as activites. Two thumbs up on this one. Great pictures too. Information is presented in a very straight-forward way. I love this book - made for a much more meaningful christmas for me this year. The table of contents has:

1) The Solstice Dream (this chapter talks to Solstice celebrations and lore across the world and across the ages - from egypt to china to Rome. Poetry and prose from other sources are included.) All chapters end with celebration activites

2) Child of Wonder (this chapter talks to the birth of different gods across the ages - such as apollo, mabon, jesus)

3) The Green Bough (this chapter talks to the symbolism of the tree, the use of evergreens versus cherry tree etc. Green man is also discussed)

4) Old Sir Christmas (this chapter talks to the jolly old elf as well as the Shaman in the Tree and others across the cultures)

5) The Solstice Animals (this is about the slaughter of animals - 'nough said there - go vegetarian!)

6) The 12 days of Christmas

At the end of the book is a few pages on additional resources/references which is pretty good.

Great book! Most complete I've found and I like how it looks across cultures.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tradition and ritual without faith, November 14, 2004

By 

Brian P. Hudson "Writer@Large" (Dearborn, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas (Paperback)

I've always loved Christmas. But a few years ago I deconverted from faith; I found myself, as an atheist and humanist, longing for a connection to the holiday I loved. This book helped me forge a new perspective on, and a new connection with, Christmas as a worldly and human celebration.

Each chapter provides cross-cultural connections to the ideas, customs, and icons of Christmas. Even when Matthews seems to be reaching a bit, it makes for engaging reading, and provides the rest of us with a way to connect with America's (and much of the Western World's) most important holiday season. It's especially engaging to know the origins of certain figures and beliefs; rarely are the origins religious, but cultural and traditional. [My favorite chapter was on the Twelve Days of Christmas.] The presentation of faith-free rituals at the end of each chapter was especially welcome, and I have already incorporated some small, new traditions into my holiday activities.

I recommend it to readers of all faiths or non-faiths. Every open-minded reader can find something of interest. Only literal Fundamentalists will be offended!