Morning Wire Christmas Traditions Explained & A Very Morning Wire Christmas | 12.25.25
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Dec 25, 2025 Join Professor Michael Foley, an expert on cultural traditions and author of "Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe," as he unravels the quirky origins of Christmas customs. Discover why mistletoe symbolizes peace, the surprising roots of candy canes, and how Saint Nicholas morphed into the beloved Santa Claus. Foley also highlights Iceland's Yule Lads, the sinister Krampus, and variations in global festivities, showcasing delightful contrasts between American and European traditions. A merry exploration of holiday history awaits!
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Mistletoe's Pagan-To-Christian Shift
- Mistletoe began as a Celtic symbol of peace and was Christianized by adding a kiss as the sign of peace.
- The custom moved from New Year's Eve into December over time and became part of Christmas decor.
Tree Of Paradise Origin Of Christmas Trees
- The Christmas tree originated in medieval Christian Germany as a symbol of Eden's two trees, not as a baptized pagan tree.
- Decorations like red apples and candy cane shapes represented the tree of knowledge and the tree of life.
How Saint Nicholas Became Santa
- Saint Nicholas transformed across centuries into the modern Santa through poems and illustrations in 19th-century America.
- He evolved from a celibate 4th-century bishop to a jolly, North Pole gift-giver with reindeer and a red suit.
