The Philosophy of Christmas by Caroline Taggart games bold and profound' – The

bold and profound' – The Sunday Times 'This is the work of an American master at the peak of his powers' – Financial Times ‘Funny and horrifying

a desire for completeness

'To look almost pretty

providence and friendship

His inspiring leadership and relentless focus on fundraising for MND shows how we should all strive to care more for each other' Gareth Southgate

The Philosophy of Christmas by Caroline Taggart games bold and profound' – TheTake the Roman festival of Saturnalia, the gift giving Norse god Odin and the Pagan habit of bringing evergreen plants into the house at Midwinter. Add a benevolent fourth century bishop, some drunken medieval singing and a nineteenth century American poem. Sprinkle with the Christian tradition of Jesus being born on 25 December and stir well. Allow the mixture to absorb other influences over hundreds of years and serve with a plum pudding that may or