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[[Image:FatherChristmastrial.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Excerpt from [[Josiah King]]'s ''The Examination and Tryal of Father Christmas'' (1686), published shortly after [[Christmas]] was reinstated as a holy day in England.]]


'''Father Christmas''' is the name used in many [[English language|English]] speaking countries for a symbolic figure associated with [[Christmas]]. A similar figure with the same name (in other languages) exists in several other countries, including [[France]] (''Père Noël'') [[Spain]] (''Papá Noel''), [[Portugal]] (''Pai Natal''), [[Italy]] (''Babbo Natale'') and [[Romania]] (''Moş Crăciun''). In past centuries, the English Father Christmas was also known as '''Old Father Christmas''', '''Sir Christmas''', and '''Lord Christmas'''.
Fatehr Christmas is a mexican pig who gives people swine and eat fuzzy peaches. And he likes tyler

Father Christmas typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, but was neither a gift bringer, nor particularly associated with children. The pre-modern representations of the gift-giver from church history namely ''[[Saint Nicholas]]'', ''[[Sinterklaas]]'' and folklore, merged with the British character Father Christmas, to create the character known to Americans as ''[[Santa Claus]]''. Like Santa Claus, Father Christmas has been identified with the old belief in [[Woden]] (Odin to the Norse)<ref>http://www.happychristmas.org.uk/santa/father-christmas.htm</ref><ref>http://www.christmasarchives.com/england.html</ref><ref>http://socyberty.com/holidays/the-four-faces-of-santa-claus/</ref><ref>http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/article/static/252/</ref><ref>McKnight, George Harley. ''St. Nicholas - His Legend and His Role in the Christmas Celebration'' (1917) Available on-line: [http://books.google.com/books?id=S4MtGxqMEpEC&dq]</ref><ref name=AMERIODIN> ''[[The Encyclopedia Americana]]'' (1920) (page 307) Available online: [http://books.google.com/books?id=4hbhBsRAOAoC&pg=PA307&dq=odin+wild+hunt#PPA307,M1]</ref><ref>http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/stnick.html</ref><ref>Whistler, Laurence. 'The English Festivals'. W. Heinemann, 1947. 241 pages</ref><ref>Muir, Frank'Christmas Customs & Traditions'.Taplinger Pub. Co., 1977. ISBN 0800815521, 9780800815523.111 pages.</ref><ref>Hole, Christina.'English Custom & Usage'. Batsford 1950. 151 pages.</ref><ref>Eason, Cassandra. 'The Mammoth Book of Ancient Wisdom'. Robinson, Indiana University 1997. ISBN 1854875175, 9781854875174.488 pages.</ref><ref>Mercatante, Anthony S. 'Good and Evil: Mythology and Folklore'. Harper & Row, University of Virginia 1978. 242 pages</ref>.

In the English-speaking world, the character called "Father Christmas" influenced the development in the [[United States]] of Santa Claus, and in the [[United Kingdom]] and elsewhere, most people now consider them to be interchangeable. However, although "Father Christmas" and "Santa Claus" have for most practical purposes been merged, historically the characters have different origins and are not identical. Some non-Americans, such as the authors [[C. S. Lewis]] and [[J. R. R. Tolkien]], have insisted on the traditional form of Father Christmas in preference to Santa Claus.

== History ==
The symbolic personification of Christmas as a merry old figure begins in the early 17th century, in the context of resistance to [[Puritan]] criticism of observation of the Christmas feast. He is "old" because of the antiquity of the feast itself, which its defenders saw as a good old Christian custom that should be kept. [[Allegory]] was popular at the time, and so "old Christmas" was given a voice to protest his exclusion, along with the form of a rambunctious, jolly old man.

[[Image:Scrooges third visitor-John Leech,1843.jpg|right|thumb|Scrooge's second visitor (wearing green) in [[Charles Dickens|Dickens]]'s ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'', a Victorian representation of Father Christmas]]

The earliest recorded personification of Christmas appears to be [[Ben Jonson]]'s creation in ''Christmas his Masque''<ref>[http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/christmas_his_masque.htm Christmas, His Masque - Ben Jonson<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> dating from December 1616, in which Christmas appears "attir'd in round Hose, long Stockings, a close Doublet, a high crownd Hat with a Broach, a long thin beard, a Truncheon, little Ruffes, white shoes, his Scarffes, and Garters tyed crosse", and announces "Why Gentlemen, doe you know what you doe? ha! would you ha'kept me out? Christmas, old Christmas?" Later, in a masque by Thomas Nabbes, ''The Springs Glorie'' produced in 1638, "Christmas" appears as "an old reverend gentleman in furred gown and cap".

The character continued to appear over the next 250 years, appearing as Sir Christmas, Lord Christmas, or Father Christmas, the last becoming the most common. A book dating from the time of the Commonwealth, ''The Vindication of CHRISTMAS or, His Twelve Yeares' Observations upon the Times''<ref>http://mercuriuspoliticus.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/a-christmassy-post/</ref> involved "Old Christmas" advocating a merry, alcoholic Christmas and casting aspersions on the charitable motives of the ruling [[Puritans]].

Father Christmas dates back at least as far as the 17th century in Britain, and pictures of him survive from that era, portraying him as a well-nourished bearded man dressed in a long green fur-lined robe. He typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, and was reflected as the "Ghost of Christmas Present" in the [[Charles Dickens]]'s classic ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'', a great genial man in a green coat lined with fur, who takes [[Ebenezer Scrooge]] through the bustling streets of London on Christmas morning, sprinkling the essence of Christmas onto the happy populace.
Since the [[Victorian era]], Father Christmas has gradually merged with the pre-modern gift giver [[St Nicholas]] ( Dutch [[Sinterklaas]], hence Santa Claus) and associated folklore. Nowadays he is often called Santa Claus but also often referred to in Britain as Father Christmas: the two names are synonyms.

Traditionally, Father Christmas comes down the chimney to put presents under the [[Christmas tree]] or in children's rooms, in their stockings. Some families leave a glass of sherry or mulled wine, mince pies, biscuits, or chocolate and a carrot for [[Santa Claus's reindeer]] near the stocking(s) as a present for him. In modern homes without chimneys he uses alternative 21st century electronic devices to enter the home. In some homes children write Christmas lists (of wished-for presents) and send them up the chimney or post them. Arrangements have been made during the forthcoming postal strikes to give priority to the delivery of mail to Santa Claus.

== Appearance ==
[[Image:Santa Claus-SL.jpg|right|thumb|"Father Christmas" is often synonymous with [[Santa Claus]].]]
Father Christmas often appears as a large man, often around 70 years old. He is dressed in a red or green [[snowsuit]] trimmed with white fur, a matching hat and dark boots. Often he carries a large brown sack filled with toys on his back.

== In fiction ==
Father Christmas appears in many [[English language]] works of [[fiction]], including [[C. S. Lewis]]'s ''[[The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe‎]]'' (1950), [[Raymond Briggs]]'s ''[[Father Christmas (comics)|Father Christmas]]'' (1973) and the translation from French of [[Jean de Brunhoff]]'s ''Babar and Father Christmas'' (originally ''Babar et le père Noël'', 1941). [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Father Christmas Letters]]'' are letters he wrote addressed to his children from Father Christmas.

The ''J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia'' compares Tolkien's Father Christmas with [[L. Frank Baum]]'s Santa Claus, as he appears in ''[[The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus]]'': {{quote|Santa Claus's friends raise an army to save him from monsters called Awgwas. Tolkien's [[goblin]]s somewhat resemble the Awgwas, who also steal presents. But Baum's Santa does not fight like Tolkien's Father Christmas does.<ref>Kapelle, Rachel, 'Father Christmas Letters' in Michael D. C. Drout (ed.), ''J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia'' (CRC Press, 2007, ISBN 0415969425) pp. 199–200</ref>}}

C. S. Lewis, a [[theology|theologian]] as well as a children's author, prefers the traditional Father Christmas because of his clear connection with the [[Christianity|Christian]] festival of Christmas.<ref>[http://cslewis.drzeus.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4119 Into the Wardrobe :: a C. S. Lewis web site] at cslewis.drzeus.net, accessed 26 January 2009</ref>

== Names in various countries ==
{{Synthesis|date=November 2008}}
The term "Father Christmas" is used in translation in many countries and languages. "Father Christmas" (and in some cases "baby Jesus") is used in the following countries or languages:
{{Multicol}}
*[[Afghanistan]] – "Baba Chaghaloo"
*[[Albania]] – "Babadimri"
*[[Austria]] – "Weihnachtsmann" (not "Nikolaus", who is celebrated on [[6 December]]) Note: The [[Christkind]] (Christ-child) is the traditional giftbringer in most parts of Austria.
*[[Armenia]] – "Kaghand Papik" (Կաղանդ պապիկ)
*[[Azerbaijan]] – "Shakhta baba" (Şaxta baba)
*[[Bolivia]] – "Papa Noel"
*[[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] – "Deda Mraz"/"Деда Мраз" meaning Grand Father Frost(related with [[New Year's Eve]])
*[[Brazil]] – "Papai Noel"
*[[Bulgaria]] – "Dyado Koleda" {Дядо Коледа), earlier "Dyado Mraz" (Дядо Мраз)
*[[Canada]] – Santa Claus, Père Noël
*[[Chile]] – "Viejito Pascuero"
*[[China]] – "Shengdan laoren" ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 聖誕老人, [[Simplified Chinese]]: 圣诞老人, [[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]]: Sing Dan Lo Yan, literally "The Old Man of Christmas")
*[[Cornish language]] – "Tas Nadelik"
*[[Costa Rica]] – "Colacho" (from San Nicolás). Note: The Niño dios ("Child God", meaning Jesus) is the traditional giftbringer.
*[[Croatia]] – "Djed Božićnjak", also "Djed Mraz"
*[[Czech Republic]] – "Ježíšek", which means "Infant-Jesus", is the traditional giftbringer in Czech Republic.
*[[Denmark]] – "Julemanden"
*[[Ecuador]] – "Papa Noel"
*[[Egypt]] – "Baba Noël"
*[[England]] – "Father Christmas", "Santa Claus"
*[[Estonia]] – "Jõuluvana"
*[[Finland]] – [[Finnish language|Finnish]]: "[[Joulupukki]]", [[Swedish language|Swedish]]: "Julgubben"
*[[France]] and [[French Canada]] – "Père Noël", "Papa Noël"
*[[Germany]] – "Weihnachtsmann" (not "Nikolaus", who is celebrated on December 6). Note: The [[Christkind]] (Christ-child) is the traditional giftbringer in Southern Germany.
*[[Greece]] / [[Cyprus]] – "[[Saint Basil|Άγιος Βασίλης-Άyos Vasílis]]"
*[[Hungary]] – "Mikulás" or "Télapó" ("Winter Father")
*[[India]] – "Santa Claus"
*[[Iran]] – "Baba Noel"
*[[Iraq]] – "Baba Noel"
*[[Iceland]] – "Jólasveinninn"
*[[Indonesia]] – "Sinterklas"
*[[Ireland]] – "Daidí na Nollag" ([[Gaeilge]] for Father Christmas); Santa Claus or Santy are commonly used in English<ref>http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=58366414#post58366414</ref>
*[[Italy]] – "Babbo Natale" (traditional giftbringers are "Gesù Bambino" (Child Jesus) on [[Christmas]] and/or [[Befana]] on [[December 6]])
*[[Japan]] – "サンタクロース" ([[Romaji]]: "Santakurōsu")
*[[Korea]] – "산타 클로스" ("santa kullosu")
*[[Latin]] – "Pater Natalis" or "Sanctus Nicholaus"
*[[Latvia]] – "Ziemassvētku vecītis"
*[[Lebanon]] – "Papa Noël"
{{Multicol-break}}
*[[Lithuania]] – "Kalėdų Senelis"
*[[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]] – "Dedo Mraz" (Дедо Мраз)
*[[Malta]] – "Christmas Father" , "Father Christmas" , "San Niklaw/San Nikola(Saint Nicholas)" , "Santa Klaws(Santa Claus)"
*[[Mexico]] – "El Niñito Dios" ("Child God", meaning Jesus)
*[[Mongolia]] – "Ovliin ovgon" ("Өвлийн өвгөн", which means Grandfather Winter and is associated mostly with New Year's Eve)
*[[Netherlands]] and [[Flanders]] – "Kerstman" ("Christmas man")
*[[Norway]] – "Julemanden"
*[[Pakistan]] – "Christmas Baba"
*[[Peru]] – "Papá Noel"
*[[Philippines]] – "Santa Klaus"
*[[Poland]] – "Święty Mikołaj"
*[[Portugal]] – "Pai Natal"
*[[Romania]] – "Moş Gerilă"
*[[Russia]] – "[[Ded Moroz]]" ("Дед Мороз", which means Grandfather Frost and is associated mostly with New Year's Eve)
*[[Sápmi (area)|Sápmi]] – "Juovlastállu"
*[[Sardinia]] – "Babbu Nadale"
*[[Scotland]] – "Daidaín na Nollaig" (Gaelic); "Father Christmas", "Santa (Claus)" (English)
*[[Serbia]] – "Božić Bata" meaning Christmas Boy("Божић Бата"; related with [[Christmas]]), "Deda Mraz" meaning Grandpa Frost("Деда Мраз"; related with [[New Year's Eve]])
*[[Sri Lanka]] – "Naththal Seeya"
*[[South Africa]] (Afrikaans) – "Vader Kersfees" or "Kersvader", “Father Christmas” or “Santa Claus”
*[[Spain]] and some of Spanish-speaking [[Latin America]] – "Papá Noel" ("Daddy or Father Christmas") or "San Nicolás" or "Santa Claus". The gift bringers are the [[Three Kings]] on 6 January
*[[Slovakia]] – "Ježiško"
*[[Slovenia]] – "Božiček"
*[[Sweden]] – "Jultomten"
*[[Switzerland]] – "Samichlaus"
*[[Turkey]] – "Noel Baba" (Note: In Turkey Noel Baba is related with [[New Year's Eve]] instead of Christmas.)
*[[Turkmenistan]] – "Aýaz baba"
*[[Ukraine]] – "Did Moroz" ("Дід Мороз")
*[[United Kingdom]] – "Father Christmas" and, due the popularity of the term in the United States, "Santa Claus"
*[[United States]] – Santa Claus
*[[Uzbekistan]] – "Qor bobo" (Which means Grandfather Snow, and is related with [[New Year's Eve]] instead of Christmas.
*[[Welsh Language|Wales]] – "Siôn Corn" (Welsh); "Father Christmas" (English)
{{Multicol-end}}

== See also ==
* [[Christmas worldwide]]
* ''[[The Father Christmas Letters]]''

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Christmas}}

[[Category:Superstitions]]
[[Category:Christmas characters]]
[[Category:Christian folklore]]
[[Category:Santa Claus]]
[[Category:English folklore]]

[[als:Weihnachtsmann]]
[[ca:Pare Noel]]
[[cs:Otec Vánoc]]
[[cy:Siôn Corn]]
[[de:Weihnachtsmann]]
[[eo:Patro Kristnasko]]
[[fr:Père Noël]]
[[nrm:Papa Noué]]
[[pt:Papai Noel]]
[[fi:Joulupukki]]
[[sv:Jultomten]]
[[tr:Noel Baba]]

Revision as of 18:14, 26 November 2009

For other uses, see Father Christmas (disambiguation).
Excerpt from Josiah King's The Examination and Tryal of Father Christmas (1686), published shortly after Christmas was reinstated as a holy day in England.

Father Christmas is the name used in many English speaking countries for a symbolic figure associated with Christmas. A similar figure with the same name (in other languages) exists in several other countries, including France (Père Noël) Spain (Papá Noel), Portugal (Pai Natal), Italy (Babbo Natale) and Romania (Moş Crăciun). In past centuries, the English Father Christmas was also known as Old Father Christmas, Sir Christmas, and Lord Christmas.

Father Christmas typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, but was neither a gift bringer, nor particularly associated with children. The pre-modern representations of the gift-giver from church history namely Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas and folklore, merged with the British character Father Christmas, to create the character known to Americans as Santa Claus. Like Santa Claus, Father Christmas has been identified with the old belief in Woden (Odin to the Norse)[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].

In the English-speaking world, the character called "Father Christmas" influenced the development in the United States of Santa Claus, and in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, most people now consider them to be interchangeable. However, although "Father Christmas" and "Santa Claus" have for most practical purposes been merged, historically the characters have different origins and are not identical. Some non-Americans, such as the authors C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, have insisted on the traditional form of Father Christmas in preference to Santa Claus.

History

The symbolic personification of Christmas as a merry old figure begins in the early 17th century, in the context of resistance to Puritan criticism of observation of the Christmas feast. He is "old" because of the antiquity of the feast itself, which its defenders saw as a good old Christian custom that should be kept. Allegory was popular at the time, and so "old Christmas" was given a voice to protest his exclusion, along with the form of a rambunctious, jolly old man.

Scrooge's second visitor (wearing green) in Dickens's A Christmas Carol, a Victorian representation of Father Christmas

The earliest recorded personification of Christmas appears to be Ben Jonson's creation in Christmas his Masque[13] dating from December 1616, in which Christmas appears "attir'd in round Hose, long Stockings, a close Doublet, a high crownd Hat with a Broach, a long thin beard, a Truncheon, little Ruffes, white shoes, his Scarffes, and Garters tyed crosse", and announces "Why Gentlemen, doe you know what you doe? ha! would you ha'kept me out? Christmas, old Christmas?" Later, in a masque by Thomas Nabbes, The Springs Glorie produced in 1638, "Christmas" appears as "an old reverend gentleman in furred gown and cap".

The character continued to appear over the next 250 years, appearing as Sir Christmas, Lord Christmas, or Father Christmas, the last becoming the most common. A book dating from the time of the Commonwealth, The Vindication of CHRISTMAS or, His Twelve Yeares' Observations upon the Times[14] involved "Old Christmas" advocating a merry, alcoholic Christmas and casting aspersions on the charitable motives of the ruling Puritans.

Father Christmas dates back at least as far as the 17th century in Britain, and pictures of him survive from that era, portraying him as a well-nourished bearded man dressed in a long green fur-lined robe. He typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, and was reflected as the "Ghost of Christmas Present" in the Charles Dickens's classic A Christmas Carol, a great genial man in a green coat lined with fur, who takes Ebenezer Scrooge through the bustling streets of London on Christmas morning, sprinkling the essence of Christmas onto the happy populace.

Since the Victorian era, Father Christmas has gradually merged with the pre-modern gift giver St Nicholas ( Dutch Sinterklaas, hence Santa Claus) and associated folklore. Nowadays he is often called Santa Claus but also often referred to in Britain as Father Christmas: the two names are synonyms.

Traditionally, Father Christmas comes down the chimney to put presents under the Christmas tree or in children's rooms, in their stockings. Some families leave a glass of sherry or mulled wine, mince pies, biscuits, or chocolate and a carrot for Santa Claus's reindeer near the stocking(s) as a present for him. In modern homes without chimneys he uses alternative 21st century electronic devices to enter the home. In some homes children write Christmas lists (of wished-for presents) and send them up the chimney or post them. Arrangements have been made during the forthcoming postal strikes to give priority to the delivery of mail to Santa Claus.

Appearance

"Father Christmas" is often synonymous with Santa Claus.

Father Christmas often appears as a large man, often around 70 years old. He is dressed in a red or green snowsuit trimmed with white fur, a matching hat and dark boots. Often he carries a large brown sack filled with toys on his back.

In fiction

Father Christmas appears in many English language works of fiction, including C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe‎ (1950), Raymond Briggs's Father Christmas (1973) and the translation from French of Jean de Brunhoff's Babar and Father Christmas (originally Babar et le père Noël, 1941). J. R. R. Tolkien's The Father Christmas Letters are letters he wrote addressed to his children from Father Christmas.

The J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia compares Tolkien's Father Christmas with L. Frank Baum's Santa Claus, as he appears in The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus:

Santa Claus's friends raise an army to save him from monsters called Awgwas. Tolkien's goblins somewhat resemble the Awgwas, who also steal presents. But Baum's Santa does not fight like Tolkien's Father Christmas does.[15]

C. S. Lewis, a theologian as well as a children's author, prefers the traditional Father Christmas because of his clear connection with the Christian festival of Christmas.[16]

Names in various countries

The term "Father Christmas" is used in translation in many countries and languages. "Father Christmas" (and in some cases "baby Jesus") is used in the following countries or languages: Template:Multicol

Template:Multicol-break

  • Lithuania – "Kalėdų Senelis"
  • Macedonia – "Dedo Mraz" (Дедо Мраз)
  • Malta – "Christmas Father" , "Father Christmas" , "San Niklaw/San Nikola(Saint Nicholas)" , "Santa Klaws(Santa Claus)"
  • Mexico – "El Niñito Dios" ("Child God", meaning Jesus)
  • Mongolia – "Ovliin ovgon" ("Өвлийн өвгөн", which means Grandfather Winter and is associated mostly with New Year's Eve)
  • Netherlands and Flanders – "Kerstman" ("Christmas man")
  • Norway – "Julemanden"
  • Pakistan – "Christmas Baba"
  • Peru – "Papá Noel"
  • Philippines – "Santa Klaus"
  • Poland – "Święty Mikołaj"
  • Portugal – "Pai Natal"
  • Romania – "Moş Gerilă"
  • Russia – "Ded Moroz" ("Дед Мороз", which means Grandfather Frost and is associated mostly with New Year's Eve)
  • Sápmi – "Juovlastállu"
  • Sardinia – "Babbu Nadale"
  • Scotland – "Daidaín na Nollaig" (Gaelic); "Father Christmas", "Santa (Claus)" (English)
  • Serbia – "Božić Bata" meaning Christmas Boy("Божић Бата"; related with Christmas), "Deda Mraz" meaning Grandpa Frost("Деда Мраз"; related with New Year's Eve)
  • Sri Lanka – "Naththal Seeya"
  • South Africa (Afrikaans) – "Vader Kersfees" or "Kersvader", “Father Christmas” or “Santa Claus”
  • Spain and some of Spanish-speaking Latin America – "Papá Noel" ("Daddy or Father Christmas") or "San Nicolás" or "Santa Claus". The gift bringers are the Three Kings on 6 January
  • Slovakia – "Ježiško"
  • Slovenia – "Božiček"
  • Sweden – "Jultomten"
  • Switzerland – "Samichlaus"
  • Turkey – "Noel Baba" (Note: In Turkey Noel Baba is related with New Year's Eve instead of Christmas.)
  • Turkmenistan – "Aýaz baba"
  • Ukraine – "Did Moroz" ("Дід Мороз")
  • United Kingdom – "Father Christmas" and, due the popularity of the term in the United States, "Santa Claus"
  • United States – Santa Claus
  • Uzbekistan – "Qor bobo" (Which means Grandfather Snow, and is related with New Year's Eve instead of Christmas.
  • Wales – "Siôn Corn" (Welsh); "Father Christmas" (English)

Template:Multicol-end

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.happychristmas.org.uk/santa/father-christmas.htm
  2. ^ http://www.christmasarchives.com/england.html
  3. ^ http://socyberty.com/holidays/the-four-faces-of-santa-claus/
  4. ^ http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/article/static/252/
  5. ^ McKnight, George Harley. St. Nicholas - His Legend and His Role in the Christmas Celebration (1917) Available on-line: [1]
  6. ^ The Encyclopedia Americana (1920) (page 307) Available online: [2]
  7. ^ http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/stnick.html
  8. ^ Whistler, Laurence. 'The English Festivals'. W. Heinemann, 1947. 241 pages
  9. ^ Muir, Frank'Christmas Customs & Traditions'.Taplinger Pub. Co., 1977. ISBN 0800815521, 9780800815523.111 pages.
  10. ^ Hole, Christina.'English Custom & Usage'. Batsford 1950. 151 pages.
  11. ^ Eason, Cassandra. 'The Mammoth Book of Ancient Wisdom'. Robinson, Indiana University 1997. ISBN 1854875175, 9781854875174.488 pages.
  12. ^ Mercatante, Anthony S. 'Good and Evil: Mythology and Folklore'. Harper & Row, University of Virginia 1978. 242 pages
  13. ^ Christmas, His Masque - Ben Jonson
  14. ^ http://mercuriuspoliticus.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/a-christmassy-post/
  15. ^ Kapelle, Rachel, 'Father Christmas Letters' in Michael D. C. Drout (ed.), J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia (CRC Press, 2007, ISBN 0415969425) pp. 199–200
  16. ^ Into the Wardrobe :: a C. S. Lewis web site at cslewis.drzeus.net, accessed 26 January 2009
  17. ^ http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=58366414#post58366414
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