"All these things happen on Christmas Eve, they are all told of on Christmas Eve. For ghost stories to be told on any other evening than the evening of the twenty-fourth of December would be impossible in English society as at present regulated. Therefore, in introducing the sad but authentic ghost stories that follow hereafter, I feel that it is unnecessary to inform the student of Anglo-Saxon literature that the date on which they were told and on which the incidents took place was—Christmas Eve." - Jerome K. Jerome
In our Christmas episode of Risking Enchantment, Rachel and Phoebe discuss the history of Christmas ghost stories, their popularity in the Victorian era and the impact of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. We also look at the ghostly elements that can be drawn out of the nativity story and how spooky stories can actually help us enter into the spirit of the season.
We hope you enjoy the episode and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and blessings for the new year ahead.
Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod
Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Phoebe Watson
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Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com
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Works referenced:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Lamp magazine - Christmas Ghost Story Competitions
After-Supper Ghost Stories by Jerome K. Jerome
"The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral" Ghost Stories by M.R. James
The Mezzotint (TV Movie 2021)
"How Fear Departed the Long Gallery", Ghost Stories by E.F. Benson
The Goblin Who Stole a Sexton by Charles Dickens
For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio by W.H. Auden
"Into the Dark With God: A Christmas Meditation on the Incarnation, for a Troubled World" by Hans Urs Von Balthasar
The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton
"The History of Christmas Ghost Stories" by Francis Young
Winters in the World by Eleanor Parker
The Snowman (1982)
Shadows by George MacDonald
Things We're Enjoying at the Moment
Phoebe: The Story Story Podcast
Rachel: Little Women (1994) and Dickens Audiobooks
