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==Bio Info== '''Titles:''' Father Christmas and (in our world) Santa Claus '''Age:''' Unknown '''Species:''' Son of Adam '''Home:''' Unknown '''Physical Description:''' He is a huge man with a great white beard and wears a bright red robe with a fur-lined hood '''Tools:''' A sleigh pulled by reindeer and a sack full of presents '''First Appearance:''' ''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'', Ch. 10 (1950) ==Appearances== ===~ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ~ (1950)=== [[File:3784.jpg|left]]Father Christmas has been kept out of Narnia during all the long years of the [[White Witch]]'s reign. But when [[Aslan]] returns, the [[White Witch|Witch]]'s power begins to crumble, and Father Christmas is finally able to enter Narnia. Father Christmas finds the three Pevensies and the [[Mr. and Mrs. Beaver|Beavers]] while they are trying to reach the Stone Table. To [[Peter Pevensie|Peter]] he gives a sword and a silver shield with a great red lion on it. To [[Susan Pevensie|Susan]] he gives a magical bow and a quiver of arrows as well as a magical horn. To [[Lucy Pevensie|Lucy]] he gives a dagger and a cordial that will heal any injury with a single drop of its juice. He also tells [[Mr. and Mrs. Beaver|Mr. Beaver]] that he will return home to find his dam repaired and finished, and that [[Mr. and Mrs. Beaver|Mrs. Beaver]] will find a new sewing machine in their home. Then Father Christmas gives them a wonderful breakfast. With a crack of his whip, Father Christmas rides away in his sleigh, crying, "Merry Christmas! Long live the true King!" ==About Father Christmas== Though his part is brief, Father Christmas is important in the story for several reasons. From his words, it seems that he had been fighting his own private battle with the [[White Witch]] for many years, trying to get into Narnia to bring Christmas and hope amidst her bleak winter. The gifts that Father Christmas gives to the Pevensies are essential as they go on to reclaim Narnia in the name of [[Aslan]]. [[Peter Pevensie|Peter]] kills [[Maugrim]] with his sword, [[Susan Pevensie|Susan]]'s horn brings the Pevensies back to Narnia in ''Prince Caspian'', and [[Lucy Pevensie|Lucy]]'s cordial saves the lives of many Narnians in ''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'' and ''Prince Caspian''. Finally, Father Christmas' commitment to [[Aslan]]'s cause is an indication that the Pevensies are not fighting this battle alone. ==Inspiration== Father Christmas in ''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'' is drawn from the well-known popular legends of Santa Claus, the magical person who travels every Christmas Eve in a sleigh pulled by reindeer to bring presents to children everywhere. These legends in turn are based on the real life of St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop who was very generous to the poor. Some Christian groups object to the concept of Father Christmas because they claim he takes the focus off Christ during the Christmas season. But Lewis' inclusion of a Father Christmas figure who is subservient to [[Aslan]], the Christ-figure in the series, is a classic example of Lewis' belief that all myths ultimately glorify the Creator. ==Quotes== *"I’ve come at last. She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. [[Aslan]] is on the move. The [[White Witch|Witch]]’s magic is weakening." (LWW, Ch. 10) *"These are your presents, and they are tools not toys. The time to use them is perhaps near at hand. Bear them well." (LWW, Ch. 10) *"But battles are ugly when women fight." (LWW, Ch. 10) *"Merry Christmas! Long live the true King!" (LWW, Ch. 10) ==Portrayals== *[[File:WDFatherChristmas.jpg|left]]James Cosmo: Disney/Walden ''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'', 2005 Born: 24 May 1948 *David Simeon (voice): Focus on the Family Radio Theater, 1999 – 2002 *[[File:BBCFatherChristmas2.jpg|left]]Bert Parnaby: BBC TV series, 1988 – 1990 *Michael Deacon (voice): BBC Radio Tales of Narnia

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