Halloween, Valentine's Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day - these are but a handful of modern holidays descended from the red-letter days, seasonal celebrations we have invented and reinvented over more than five millennia to meet our changing human needs. When we explore their origins, the holidays begin to reflect not only who we are but also why, through oppressed by time and thwarted by the forces of nature, we never seem to lose the will to control the future.

Cultural and historical background and traditions of forty-five major American holidays, both secular and religious, Christian and Jewish.

"A thorough and entertaining chronicle of America's oldest and most beloved holiday -- from its earliest roots to the present day."--Cover

What are the origins of some of our holidays? Why are eggs decorated on Easter? Why are there wreaths on doors during Christmas? What is the real reason for decorated trees in living rooms around the world? Through a Christian prospective this book will examine popular holidays that have a significant religious meaning. Digging through layers of history, this book will uncover the pagan origins that make up many of our holiday traditions.

Fred Inglis traces the rise of the holiday from its early roots in the Grand Tour, through the coming of Thomas Cook and his Blackpool packages, to sex tourism and the hippie trail to Kathmandu.

"America's Favorite Holidays explores how five of America's culturally dominant holidays--Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving--came to be what they are today, combinations of seasonal and religious celebrations heavily influenced by modern popular culture. Distilling information from a wide range of sources, Bruce David Forbes reveals the often surprising history behind the traditions of each holiday. The book offers a comprehensive look at the Christian origins of these holidays and also touches on Passover, the religions of ancient Rome, Celtic practices, Mexico's Day of the Dead, and American civil religion. America's Favorite Holidays answers our curiosity about the origins of our holidays and the many ways in which religion and culture mix"--Provided by publisher.

The Ancient Origins of Modern Holidays draws from the Bible and Jewish sources on what has always been defined as paganism and idolatry. In this book we learn which holiday practices are forbidden and which ones are not. The Dead Sea Scrolls record the origins of the festivals celebrated on the equinoxes and solstices and reveal why they are important for Christians today. Using these sources, Christians can easily draw the line on practices and celebrations. We learn how to nullify paganism and take back what God gave us, so we can be obedient to His commands. In the second section of this book, we find the most ancient histories of the holiday traditions; like the Easter egg and Easter bunny, the Christmas tree, evergreens, and many more. If you have Pan-Babylonian family or friends (those who think all holidays are pagan), who refuse to celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving with you, this book should help bring them back into fellowship with the family.