It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This special edition covers Christmas in all its beauty, warmth and spirit. By revisiting the reason for the season, back to the manger in Bethlehem, and then tracing the holiday traditions through the years and across the land, right up to today, this issue explores and celebrates Christmas like no other. Learn about the origins of Santa Claus, the development of gift-giving and the emphasis on fellowship that defines this extraordinary day. And don’t forget the countless pop culture incarnations: The stories, the movies, the songs. The Magic of Christmas is built around stunning photography from all corners of the globe, beautiful writing, and a treasure of special treats (secrets to the finest gingerbread and egg nog; glimpses of the most exceptional trees) along with a visiting of Christmas miracles past and present.
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR • Christmas, that annual festival of joy, fellowship, and giving, has taken many forms over the past two millennia.
THE REASON FOR THE SEASON • Christmas is a massive multicultural phenomenon—that all started in a humble manger on the West Bank.
The Birth of Christ • The Christmas story opens in a Bethlehem manger—but not necessarily on December 25. Indeed, it’s a complicated tale, with more than a few twists and turns.
THE ENDURING CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY • The purported birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem has managed to withstand the ravages of time, war, plunder, and natural catastrophe.
TRADITIONS • How a religious holiday evolved over centuries into a secularized celebration of love, family, friendship, food—and, of course, gift-giving.
Christmas Takes Hold • The modern holiday really caught on in the 1800s, thanks to some of that century’s most illustrious Brits and Americans.
THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 • The angelic proclamation “and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” took on a new meaning in the early days of World War I.
The History of Santa Claus • Call him St. Nick, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, or Father Christmas—the jolly gift-giver has taken many forms through the ages.
“THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” • “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” is the most famous of all Christmas poems—but its true author remains a matter of dispute.
The Most Famous Christmas Tree in the World • For 90 years, a towering evergreen has graced New York City’s Rockefeller Center, drawing throngs of tourists every yuletide season.
DAZZLING TREES ACROSS THE GLOBE • New York isn’t the only city that lights it up in a big way each Christmas season.
Eggnog, Gingerbread, and Fruitcake (Oh My!) • Many of the traditional—if not universally beloved—Christmas dishes have roots that reach all around the globe and deep into Western history.
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS FROM EVERYWHERE • Yuletide may mean Santa, trees, and eggnog to many of us, but in fact, the holiday has inspired as many intriguing customs as there are countries.
CHRISTMAS AND CULTURE • The holiday has been a wellspring of creativity, inspiring countless works of literature, film, and music.
How Charles Dickens Helped Save Christmas • The great British novelist gave the holiday a huge boost with his fable about a London miser named Ebenezer Scrooge.
Christmas at the Movies • The camera loves it: a selection of yuletide films guaranteed to get you and yours into the holiday spirit.
STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS • Christmas music dates to the fourth century, and the season wouldn’t be the same without it. Here’s how some of the most spirit-stirring classics came to be.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You”: Q&A with Mariah Carey • In a 2019 interview, the singer reflected on the “once-in-a-lifetime” success of “All I Want for Christmas Is...