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 4000 Years of Christmas : A Gift from the Ages Earl W. Count and Alice Count With an introduction by Dan Wakefield 
 Description From The Publisher: This charming story of our Christmas traditions carries us around the globe and through the millennia in search of the ancient customs that have become part of our modern-day celebration. Along the way, we discover: Decorating with mistletoe began with the mysterious rituals of pagans Each of us has our favorite Christmas memories. Images of evergreen trees, colorfully wrapped presents, and loved ones arriving home at last for the holidays. We hold in our hearts the stories of a lifetime of Christmases. But what if our entire civilization could write its own memoirs and tell the complete story of Christmas past? Surprisingly, the tale would begin not in Bethlehem, but two thousand years earlier in the cradle of civilization. It would be a nostalgic story involving Christians and non-Christians alike. Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans--whose ancient customs became part of the Christmas celebration--would people its pages. We would see early Europeans hanging fir sprigs and winter greenery to renew life and protect against the cold blasts of Arctic wind. People who had not yet learned of the Christ child would be burning Yule logs. Of course, the most important chapter in these memoirs would take place in a manger surrounded by Wise Man and marked with a brilliant star. But the tale would continue on for another two thousand years as generation after generation added to the customs of Christmas. It carries us around the globe and through the millenia in search of the ancient customs that have become part of our modern-day celebration. Printed in two color with illustrations, this romantic narrative reminds us that the joy we share each year comes from traditions that people have celebrated since the dawn of civilization. Not a lengthy survey of world mythology, 4000 Years of Christmas focusses on the traditions that we all share and tells a story that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Reviews From Ingram: Following myth and folklore from the Near East, Greece, Rome and northern Europe, 4,000 Years of Christmas tells a story that begins not with a manger in Bethlehem, but with wealthy Babylonians exchanging gifts in an empire that flourished before the Bronze Age.  Reader's Index Send us your favorite quotes or passages from this book. About the Author After a renowned career as an author, anthropologist and Episcopalian priest, Earl Count died in 1996 at age 97. During his life he served as department chairman and professor emeritus at Hamilton College (NY) and was profiled in the New York Times. His 82-year-old widow Alice Count, a published musician and historical musicologist, has updated her husband's original work for this new edition. She lives in San Francisco. Table of Contents
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