126
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
/http://www.carols.org.uk/index.htm/
Father Christmas. A similar figure with the same name (in
other languages) exists
in several other countries, including
France (Père Noël), Spain (Papá Noel, Padre Noel).
In
past centuries, the English Father Christmas was also
known
as Old Father Christmas, Sir Christmas,
and Lord
Christmas.
Father Christmas is said to wear (these days) a bright red
suit, but in Victorian and Tudor times
he wore a bright green
suit. Father Christmas typified the spirit of good cheer at Christ-
mas, but was neither a gift bringer nor particularly associated
with children.
A traditional figure in English folklore, Father Christmas is
identified with the old belief in the Old English god Woden. Fa-
ther Christmas and Santa Claus have for most practical purposes
been merged, historically the characters have different origins
and are not identical.
Father Christmas is often said to reside at the North Pole
or less commonly, in the mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland,
Finland.