John Magill is historian and curator for The Historic New Orleans Collection. John takes us back in time to Christmas in New Orleans in 1718. According to John, the 18th century holiday was quite different from our modern celebration: "Christmas was not the big religious holiday we see today". John recounts the story of why the Archbishop of New Orleans cancelled Midnight Mass in 1884. He compares and contrasts Christmas in New Orleans to Christmas celebrations in Europe. John talks about the origins of Santa Claus and the Christmas tree, and explains how the first Reveillon dinners in New Orleans did not necessarily have anything to do with Christmas. Listen in, learn a little about the history behind this festive holiday, and have a wonderful Christmas!
