This fascinating cultural and social history explores Christmas as a living tradition shaped by religion, folklore, family life and social change. Weber-Kellermann follows the development of Christmas customs from their older seasonal and Christian roots to the modern celebration, showing how traditions were repeatedly adapted to changing social circumstances. Particular attention is given to the Advent season, Saint Nicholas and Knecht Ruprecht, the Christmas tree, the Nativity scene, Christmas gifts, carols, candles, Christmas markets and the Epiphany celebrations. The author also examines the transformation of Christmas into a predominantly family-centred celebration and the growing importance of children, gift-giving and consumption. The wealth of illustrations makes the book especially appealing: historical images, photographs and representations of Christmas customs bring the changing appearance of the festive season vividly to life. It is therefore much more than a history of the religious feast; it is a study of how Christmas became embedded in European everyday culture and social life. Ingeborg Weber-Kellermann (1918-1999) was a German ethnologist and folklorist whose research focused particularly on everyday culture, family life, customs and popular traditions. Das Weihnachtsfest became one of her best-known works and remains an important reference for the cultural history of Christmas. (AI-generated content description)