Interesting commentary on Father Christmas in Narnia

[Steve]

"If ever there were a case for taking Christ out of Christmas, it's arguably in Narnia.

There is no Christ in Narnia — there is only Aslan, the lion who dies for the sins of others and returns in glorious triumph. So instead of Christmas, shouldn't the Narnians celebrate Aslanmas? And shouldn't Lewis have left Father Christmas out of his books entirely? "



The writer goes on to say that while this criticism is technically correct, what Lewis has done is great for a children's story.

[Stanley Anderson]

[carol]

[robsia]

[nomad]

[carol]

[robsia]

[robsia]

[Jeff]

I was hoping that it wasn't 'Santa Claus'; I rather despise the oversized pseudo-human harlequin villain.

Here's a very good analysis of how St. Nicholas got perverted into 'Santa Claus':



They are much kinder about it than I would've been.

Linda, while I think you are right that both Father Christmas and Santa Claus come from St. Nicholas, could it be that the English Father Christmas is closer to the original? I hope so...

[carol]

[Sven]

[carol]

Yep! I would be stretching the truth if I were to imply that I began researching on this topic before I was born! But with Sven, nothing is impossible - he knows everything!

[Stanley Anderson]

[Erekose]

Justcouldn't resist poking my oar in and muddying the waters.. sorry.

The presence of Father Christmas can be explained as other than a "literary anomaly" as being a "being" created at the time of the Song, as a result of the iconic conceptions of some of those present (particularly Digory and Polly)

I tyend to regard the concept of "Father Aslanmas" as being something that doesn't exactly run smooth.

Assuming a degree (note degree no where near absolute) of correlation between Christ/Aslan, then could Aslan be associated with a deliverer of physical presents(rewards)?

Sorry folks.. just couldn't resist.

(got a few problems.. been boxing up books in the much cluttered attic as a precursor to cataloging/sorting etc and been finding a LOT of books I'd really like to read.. including ANOTHER CSLewis book.. so just a tad irritated :/ )