Father Christmas dates back as far as 16th century in England during the reign of Henry VIII, when he was pictured as a large man in green or scarlet robes lined with fur.[21] He typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, bringing peace, joy, good food and wine and revelry.[21] As England no longer kept the feast day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December, the Father Christmas celebration was moved to 25 December to coincide with Christmas Day.[21] The Victorian revival of Christmas included Father Christmas as the emblem of 'good cheer'.[22] His physical appearance was variable,[23]with one famous image being John Leech's illustration of the "Ghost of Christmas Present" in Charles Dickens's festive classic A Christmas Carol (1843), as a great genial man in a green coat lined with fur who takes Scrooge through the bustling streets of London on the current Christmas morning, sprinkling the essence of Christmas onto the happy populace.[21][22]
"Ghost of Christmas Present", a colorized version of the original illustration by John Leech made for Charles Dickens's festive classic A Christmas Carol (1843).
Father Christmas is now widely seen as synonymous with the Santa Claus figure.