The Man Who Invented Christmas was the irresistible title of a book published in 2008, about Charles Dickens and his role in shaping or reviving many of the traditions now regarded as part of the timeless British Christmas – trees, cards, presents and so on. It’s an enjoyable and plausible thesis, albeit even these allegedly “new” practices often have very deep roots. The tradition of carols, for instance, far predates Dickens. Even though many now-popular carols were first arranged in their current form in the 19th century – like O Come All Ye Faithful or Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – their origins generally lie much further back.