Christmas doesn’t end on December 25—so why do we treat it like it does?

For centuries, Christmas was a forty-day season, stretching from the Nativity all the way to Candlemas on February 2. In this episode, we explore the entire forgotten half of Christmas: the feast days, folk traditions, saints, celebrations, and moments of sanctioned chaos that once filled the darkest weeks of winter.

From Boxing Day and St. Stephen’s Day to Wren Day in Ireland, from the Boy Bishop and the Lord of Misrule to Twelfth Night, Epiphany, Three Kings Day, La Befana, Orthodox Theophany, Plough Monday, Old Christmas, and finally Candlemas, this episode uncovers how Christmas slowly unfolded—rather than abruptly ending.

We trace how:

• Medieval society embraced misrule, role reversal, and communal feasting

• Gift-giving traditions moved from Christmas Day to Epiphany

• Calendar changes created “Old Christmas”

• Industrialization and reform compressed Christmas into a single day

• Candlemas weather lore gave rise to Groundhog Day

This is a global journey through liturgy, folklore, agrarian life, and cultural memory, revealing how Christmas once lingered—burning slowly like a candle against the long winter night.

If you’ve ever felt like Christmas ends too quickly...this episode explains why it didn’t used to.

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Special thanks to:

The Christmas Song/Heaven/Slow 3/4 Song by Peter Evans, Tom Blancarte, and Brandon Seabrook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Santa Claws is Coming by Ergo Phizmiz - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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How does Santa Claus deliver presents to hundreds of millions of homes in a single night?
Many say it’s impossible—but the science might disagree.

In this episode, we dive deep into the physics, mathematics, and global logistics of Santa Claus, exploring how relativity, quantum mechanics, advanced algorithms, nanotechnology, and even artificial intelligence could explain the greatest delivery operation in history.

We break down the staggering numbers—millions of homes, thousands of visits per second, and near-light-speed travel—and explore why classical physics would vaporize Santa instantly. Then, we go beyond the impossible, examining cutting-edge theories including time dilation, quantum superposition, wormholes, warp drives, molecular assembly, stealth cloaking, and AI-driven route optimization.

But Santa’s secret weapon may not be speed at all.

By examining global gift-giving traditions—from St. Nicholas Day and Sinterklaas, to New Year’s Eve with Ded Moroz, Three Kings Day, and Orthodox Christmas—we reveal how Santa’s workload is actually spread across multiple calendars and cultures, turning a one-night miracle into a brilliantly optimized seasonal operation.

This episode blends real science, various mathematical theories, cultural history, and holiday wonder, making it perfect for curious adults, kids, and families alike.

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Special thanks to:

The Christmas Song/Heaven/Slow 3/4 Song by Peter Evans, Tom Blancarte, and Brandon Seabrook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Santa Claws is Coming by Ergo Phizmiz - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

holiday by Dee Yan-Key - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we explore the most compelling Christmas-themed novels from the past 20 years, spanning mystery, thriller, fantasy, horror, romance, and literary fiction. From snowed-in murder games and gothic holiday thrillers to dark reimaginings of Santa Claus, heartfelt romances, and magical Christmas fantasies, these books prove that holiday fiction goes far beyond cozy clichés.

We discuss why Christmas makes such a powerful setting for suspense and transformation, how modern authors use the season to heighten stakes and emotion, and which novels have become modern Christmas classics for adults, young adults, and middle-grade readers alike.

Whether you love holiday mysteries, dark Christmas fantasy, romantic winter reads, or literary stories of hope and redemption, this episode offers a curated guide to the best festive fiction of the 21st century—and plenty of inspiration for your winter reading list.

Contact:

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Special thanks to:

The Christmas Song/Heaven/Slow 3/4 Song by Peter Evans, Tom Blancarte, and Brandon Seabrook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Santa Claws is Coming by Ergo Phizmiz - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

holiday by Dee Yan-Key - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠