Christmastide: Its History, Festivities, and Carols

"Christmastide: Its History, Festivities, and Carols" by William Sandys is a journey through the ages to uncover the roots of Christmas celebrations, mainly looking at English traditions. Sandys wants to show how Christmas went from being mostly about religion to a mix of church beliefs and fun parties, talking about how old customs from different groups of people played a role in shaping the holiday. The beginning of the book explains that it's meant to be an interesting look at Christmas in England, not a deep discussion about religion. Sandys thinks about the serious meaning of Christmas but also points out how holiday parties used to be wild and over the top. This introduction gets the reader ready for a closer look at the past, exploring celebrations, habits, and what different Christmas customs mean.