One of my favorite things about LWW is the fact that it is both a Christmas Story and a Easter Story. The Christmas element has, with the season, been on my mind, so I have been digging into the legend of Father Christmas.
Thing is, it has left me somewhat confused. Traditionally, I have absolutely refused to believe that the English legend of Father Christmas is the same as the person generally referred to as Santa Claus. If anything, Santa Claus is a very bad caricature of Father Christmas. Wikipedia seems to agree, in saying that Father Christmas was neither a gift-giver, nor was he associated primarily with children.
Well, I was watching the special informative subtitles on my LWW DVD, and it straightforwardly suggested that Father Christmas is indeed Santa Claus. That whole idea saddens me, as I think the spirit of Christmas should not embody such leniency toward materialism and greed.
Could someone who is adequately informed please let me know what is the truth behind this mystical character, Father Christmas
?