In this episode of the Lifespring WhyChristmas Advent Calendar, host Steve Webb and James Cooper explore the cultural history of the “White Christmas.” Despite snow and ice having no mention in the original biblical story, they have become central to our holiday imagery through literature and royal tradition.

The Dickensian Influence

The strong association between Christmas and snow is largely a Victorian invention, specifically tied to the writing of Charles Dickens. During his childhood, Britain experienced several heavy snowfalls at Christmastime. Dickens carried these memories into his work, filling classics like A Christmas Carol and The Pickwick Papers with snowy scenes that eventually became part of our collective cultural consciousness. This literary influence transformed a simple weather occurrence into a foundational element of the holiday spirit for generations to come.

German Traditions and the Royal Family

Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, also played a major role in shaping these traditions. Bringing customs from his native Germany, he was accustomed to snowy winters and helped popularize the Christmas tree in the United Kingdom. This era also saw the rise of the Christmas card, which frequently featured snowy landscapes as a nostalgic nod to the “hard Christmases” of the past. These cards helped distribute the image of a snowy Christmas across the globe, making it a universal symbol of the season.

A Musical Milestone

The episode also discusses the iconic song “White Christmas,” performed by Bing Crosby. Written by Irving Berlin in just 18 minutes, the song debuted in the film Holiday Inn, which was set in a snowy Vermont. It has since become a global phenomenon, with Crosby’s original recording selling over 30 million copies worldwide. Whether you are in sunny Southern California or a snowy Vermont, the dream of a white Christmas continues to define the spirit of the season and remains a centerpiece of holiday media.

To learn more about holiday customs from around the world, visit WhyChristmas.com. For more inspiring content and past episodes, check out LifeSpringMedia.com.

Entities: Charles Dickens, Prince Albert, Bing Crosby, Irving Berlin, Queen Victoria, A Christmas Carol, Holiday Inn, Riverside, Vermont.

Understanding the history of these snowy traditions helps us appreciate how cultural stories and music shape the way we celebrate the holidays today, regardless of the weather outside. The influence of the Victorian era continues to cast a long, snowy shadow over our modern festivities.

Until next time, I’m Steve Webb. May your Christmas be filled with joy and peace. God bless you.