02243cam a22003133u 45000010005000000030007000050050017000120060002000290070005000310080041000360400011000770410017000880500007001051000035001122450018001472640051001653000047002163360026002633370026002893380036003155000061003515000031004125080045004435201297004885340045017856530032018306530025018628560042018871850UtSlPG20260610133050.0mcr n260607r2006||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d  aUtSlPG 7aen2iso639-1 4aPS1 aIrving, Washington,d1783-185910aOld Christmas 1aSalt Lake City, UT :bProject Gutenberg,c2006  a1 online resource :bmultiple file formats  atextbtxt2rdacontent  acomputerbc2rdamedia  aonline resourcebcr2rdacarrier  aThere is an improved edition of this title, eBook #20656  aRelease date is 2006-05-14  aProduced by Donald Lainson; David Widger  a"Old Christmas" by Washington Irving is a nostalgic celebration of Christmas traditions and festivities, written in the early 19th century. This charming piece reflects on the profound impact of Christmas customs in rural England, exploring themes of familial bonds, hospitality, and the joy of gathering together during the holiday season. Through his picturesque and lyrical commentary, Irving evokes a sense of longing for the simpler, merrier days of yore, underscoring the warmth and unity that characterized Christmas in the past.  The opening of "Old Christmas" establishes a reflective tone as the narrator bemoans the fading holiday customs and rituals that once brought communities together. It depicts the preparations for Christmas, emphasizing the delightful atmosphere of bustling coaches, festive decorations, and the anticipation of family reunions. The narrator observes travel through the countryside, where children eagerly await returning home for the holidays, and introduces charming anecdotes about the warmth of hospitality found in English inns. Thus, the stage is set for a heartfelt exploration of how the spirit of Christmas enriches lives and fosters connections, bridging the gap between past and present traditions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)  nOriginal publication data not identified  aChristmas stories, American  aChristmas -- England40uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1850