EBOOK CHRISTMAS IN RITUAL AND ***
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Christmas In Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan
by Clement A. Miles
Published by T. Fisher Unwin
1912
[Illustration:
THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI (DETAIL).
GENTILE DA FABRIANO
(_Florence: Accademia_)]
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PREFACE
In this volume I have tried to show how Christmas is or has been kept in
various lands and ages, and to trace as far as possible the origin of the
pagan elements that have mingled with the Church's feast of the Nativity.
In Part I. I have dealt with the festival on its distinctively Christian
side. The book has, however, been so planned that readers not interested
in this aspect of Christmas may pass over Chapters II.-V., and proceed at
once from the Introduction to Part II., which treats of pagan survivals.
The book has been written primarily for the general reader, but I venture
to hope that, with all its imperfections, it may be of some use to the
more serious student, as a rough outline map of the field of Christmas
customs, and as bringing together materials hitherto scattered through a
multitude of volumes in various languages.
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