The Life of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) | Beyond Arda

[@JDgq3yj]

Imagine having a dad who would do this for 23 years, in addition to his own writing and his professional duties. What a man.

[@californiadovah7786]

That is one amazing and dedicated dad.

[@DNGR369]

it doesn't matter that he had writing to do for work - you don't justify that against doing things for your kids. Oh I talk all day for work on the phone so when i get home I won't talk to my kids!? Out of touch comment 🤦‍♂

[@HolyG.23]

​@@DNGR369 you missed the point

[@JDgq3yj]

@@DNGR369 How would YOU know anything about the things he did for his kids? Buzz off.

[@luudest]

Btw: The Fellowship sent out from Rivendell on December 25th.

[@andersonic]

This is the most wholesome and delightful thing I could never have expected! Somehow this Tolkien fan missed the Santa letters, thank you so much for presenting them this way.

[@superhaven3647]

Its one of the more underatted things tolkien fans overlook. much like the mermaids and other things.

[@BilRib14]

I did not expect Matt to upload a video like this but I am SO here for it.

[@ChiaraSiasat]

North Polar Bear is my absolute favorite. I adore reading this book yearly around this time

[@AdDewaard-hu3xk]

Karhu

[@melkhiordarkfell4354]

I love the little touch of "in universe" reason for Tolkien not being able to get the right toy and choosing a similar toy instead.

[@UltimateSpider1385]

"Where was Santa when Christmas was cancelled?!!! Where was Santa when Krampus came and took our children?!? Where was San---"

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Kranpus: HEY, I am just doing my job!

[@skygazer858]

👏slow clap👏 👏 👏 👏

[@AndrewShort-ox4ck]

Some people deserve Krampus.

[@TetsuShima]

It's pretty wholesome that Tolkien developed his writing skills through his kids. That said, I imagine him narrating Christopher his drafts of the Silmarillion as a bedtime story in order to get a review 😂😂😂

[@Nio744]

"I dunno dad this Morgoth fella seems to have a point." "We're putting you up for adoption."

[@_jeff65_]

​@@Nio744"Fëanor did nothing wrong". "That's it, I'm disowning you"

[@tonypapas9854]

So clever. What a wonderful memory for his children - and hopefully for theirs and so on.

[@doogless]

I love that Tolkein created an explanation for why there would be no fireworks and sparklers due to real-life war rationing. Also TIL that Christmas fireworks are a thing in the UK, and then like an hour later my friend who moved to Scotland posted a video of said Christmas fireworks that her daughters were enjoying on Instagram.

[@TetsuShima]

Tolkien: *Dies of old age* Christopher: "Father Christimas is not gonna like the news next time we write him a letter" 😢

[@703tomato]

Polar Bear is the proto-Helm Hammerhand. Polar Bear repeatedly trekking out alone in the snow to singlehandedly attack goblin camps is just like Helm Hammerhand.

[@BlondPastelQueen]

What a wonderful work of art and love! ❤ When my late uncle was still alive, he would call me every year on my birthday and pretend to be Father Christmas 🎄🎁🥰 I'm also delighted to see the Finnish names in the stories, as in Finland, they believe Father Christmas lives there. I saw him once, while on a summer roadtrip through the country 🎄🫶

[@100mythfreak]

I always imagined Father Christmas as an Istari who stayed behind, like Radagast, but wearing a red robe.

[@melsey69]

I've only just started reading these and it's just the most delightful thing for this time of year, I really wish all Children get to here thus over Christmas

[@JDgq3yj]

I kept meaning to write to Matt about doing a video on "Letters from Father Christmas"! No collection of Tolkien's works would be complete without it. And it makes a great Christmas gift!

[@kristenrosales2919]

Absolutely wonderful storytelling from Tolkien. It always gives you a sense of wonder and magic.

[@tonypapas9854]

Talk about dedication and a labor of love - "A Long-Expected Soundscape" sounds like a wonderful present.

[@joshuajohansen1210]

We need an animated series of this.

[@LadyBoru]

That would be really fun!

[@kristolmethonfire]

I love this sooooo much. What a wonderful tradition.

[@njalthemighty5378]

This is incredibly charming. ❤

[@BrotherhoodWorkshop]

The Father Christmas Letters are probably my favorite piece of Christmas storytelling (with the possible exception of the excellent "Klaus" on Netflix). I love the old world mythological feel mixed with humorous and quaint hijinks. It's so pleasant and cozy, but with a depth that makes you feel like these characters truly have existed for thousands of years. For many years, it was a tradition to listen to the audio version while making a Christmas road trip with my wife (have had to stop since the birth of our son, he is too young for audiobooks and loudly insists upon music being played at all times)

[@pendragon2012]

Love the Father Christmas Letters!

[@mylesmitchell7187]

This collection of letters will be the perfect Christmas present for my dad (a nerd of Tolkien and Christmas in equal measure). Thanks for the superb content as always!

[@kelliegower1579]

I love this! Thank you for sharing the Father Christmas Letters. I had never heard of them before today. I will definitely be looking for the book now.

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Honestly, I have always been surprised by how open Tolkien was to Father Christmas. A lot of Christians don't like him because he kinda turned Christmas from "The birth of the Savior" to "Mammon's favorite holiday" (not to mention the supposed pagan roots) so I am surprised a Roman catholic like Tolkien didn't hate Saint Nick's guts.

[@davidponseigo8811]

St. Nicholas was a Catholic Christian Saint. So he is grounded on pagan and Christian legend and facts.

[@methanedirigible]

@@davidponseigo8811 Ah but Father Christmas and St Nicholas aren’t the same person traditionally. Father Christmas arrived in England before Jesus did. Father Christmas isn’t the same guy as Santa Claus. They’ve merged nowadays in terms of their whole depiction.

[@erikbender1967]

This is a book I really need to purchase. What a great dad doing this for his children. I really hope each and everyone who watches this channel, along with Matt and his family, have a very Merry Christmas!

[@burninlightpresents]

I have read these letters to my son (and more recently my partner too) every year for the last eight years. I love doing all the voices.

[@SharonKofoed]

Thank you for doing this video! I love the fact that Tolkien did this for his kids...and how blessed are we to be able to enjoy this wonderful gift and legacy! I have the anniversary edition book of the Father Christmas Letters...but I have yet to read the whole thing. Originally, I was just going to read a few letters every year on Christmas Eve...but that makes for a super slow read! Merry Christmas, everyone!

[@changeshifter4852]

I recognized the thumbnail images so I had to investigate. I treasure my copy of The Father Christmas Letters and my grown son & I read it every November. We both love anything by Tolkien.

[@jeffnorris7592]

NotJeff here. When you got to the final letter, I teared up. Father Christmas retired to Valinor, and his Luthien and children have followed.

[@orrointhewise87]

I totally envisioned this whole thing in Christmas style claymation 😊

[@Adamadam-zc6pe]

I’m sure someone has already mentioned this but Gollum actually appears in the drawing inside the goblin caves.

[@gariciu]

We got this book this year and have been enjoying it along with Tolkien's poem Noel. Thanks for this!

[@jaanaffi]

Thank you Matt! And happy Christmas to you and your family too 🎄! It was so nice to hear about Father Christmas and also about those Finnish words Tolkien used 🤩❣

[@ArtemisMacKenzie]

Thank you for this video, I love the way you pronounce Karhu, Paksu and Valkotukka, you pronounce them right and also explain what those names mean in English!

[@guilhermepereira6825]

This needs to be turned into an animated series immediately.😂😂

[@worldtraveler930]

Thank you for your well wishes and may the same find you and your family!!! 🎅👍

[@andyfarrow7337]

And a warm and Happy Christmas to you.

[@Dr_Cole]

After hearing of the stories and this book, I was elated to see the book under my tree in 2023. I decided to wait until before Christmas this year to read the book. I am quite glad your video has reminded me to do so.

[@KingMordred]

Tolkien literaly created in a decade 90% of the Lore Father Christmas got in 5 centuries 😂😂😂

[@JessWLStuart]

I wish I had the opportunity to share a pint with J.R.R. Tolkien! He's amazingly creative and a great father to write these letters for his kids!

[@mbvoelker8448]

The book is a really lovely read. Thanks for alerting people to it who might not have otherwise encountered the story.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Not LotR stuff, but any writing from the same author is still a welcome addition for this channel. (Then again, this could still be canon - somehow - in obscure Middle-earth lore standards. Besides, the modern Earth is actually the Seventh Age, with Tolkien himself being an in-universe scribe tasked into translating rediscovered old texts found in Viking ruins or... now that needs a video or more in its own right.) Foreboding, John not writing letters anymore. Ah, I think I remember snapdragons being mentioned in some Dickensian era stories. Karhu... that's actually a good ursine name, alongside Shardik and Kuma. Tolkien sure loved the Scandinavian language as much as a longtime anime fan may love the Japanese language. 7:54: And then there's the oppressed and constantly purged. Two more years before "they" start ruling an European land who lost the First World War... For all his purported talk about not being a great artist, Tolkien did so well with the scribbles. A time of crisis involving an army of goblins in the year 1933, and with some killing not expected of a Christmas story... Tolkien sure knew what's going on with the world on that year. Aside that, one has to really want to know the POV of the goblins. They can't all be that bad, after all. 12:12: With most on Germany, Italy, the Soviet Union, and Japan, one may assume. 13:37: Heh, they're almost like the "Dancing Men" in Arthur C. Doyle's eponymous Sherlock Holmes tale. 13:47: So, their father's multilingual fashion? Of course things change in 1939. Can't be helped, the best that can be done is that the winning side years later is one that tolerates the North Pole's benevolence. 15:14: Hear, hear, Polar Bear! Of course the Blitz gets subtle acknowledgement come 1940. By the way, love how The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe adaptation included the Blitz as an adaptation expansion, and it's a shame people like Dominic Noble seem to miss the point of its huge importance not only in the story, but also how real life has been shaped by it. 16:43: Better half than all of the world. At least the goblins didn't make an alliance with the Axis Powers. Was expecting the penguins to help out in the second goblin incursion. However, did not expect Polar Bear becoming a sapper to close down the goblin advance, especially with The Two Towers' Helm's Deep in mind. ...I wonder how the North Pole felt about the Second World War's end, the start of the Cold War, Tolkien's big break with The Lord of the Rings, and so on.

[@garymiller_85]

I have this book, and my 9yo daughter is reading it, her first Tolkein, and she is loving it

[@Emma-wh9fd]

Such a charming video summary - I think I’m going to buy the published letters from my local independent for Xmas.

[@daviddaspit4166]

I feel like I read those stories every year when I was a kid. I still love them. I didn't realize the book came out in 1976. I must have had an early edition of it.

[@Chris-fd9sg]

I knew these existed, but had no idea how funny and charming they are.

[@Luckypants2113]

Amazing video i some how never knew this. Beautiful.

[@faithpals]

thank you matt - merry christmas

[@LadyBoru]

I had no idea that this existed. Thank you for sharing! 😊😊😊

[@Eowyn3Pride]

I live the Father Christmas stories! Especially the Polar bear!❤

[@LesleyHanley-yd4wq]

Lovely, thankyou and Happy Christmas 🎅

[@michaelminch5490]

This made my day!

[@Aleksisguitar]

That was a pretty solid karhu pronounciation. Approved 👏🐻🇫🇮

[@user-uq7io2os3r]

Thx a lot and Merry Christmas to you as well 👍🤗

[@funandmental]

I’m reading Letters to Father Christmas to my daughter for Advent. It’s so fun.

[@Carrie449-xyz]

Wow, I’ve never seen/heard these!!!

[@glockparaastra]

I have read many of the letters. I really need to finish them. Great review. Tolkien had such an imagination!

[@hermanmelville3368]

Amazing pictures

[@Hundredyacrewoods]

Has anyone else noticed just how much Tolkien writes about the Man in the Moon? There are: 2 poems in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (1 of which is the same as sung by Frodo); the most powerful wizard in the story Roverandom; the character in The Father Christmas Letters; even the Moon Maia in the Legendarium is male. He did like the idea. I wonder why?

[@christopherwall2121]

I think he was just enchanted or enamored with the Moon. His one stab at science fiction used astral projection to travel the stars, because he didn't believe space travel was plausible, but I'd love to have been around when he heard about the Apollo 11 landing.

[@antonellamR2D2]

Thank you for the treat

[@jacketernity4609]

Great video as always!

[@Relics_of_Arda]

Christmas time! 🎄

[@raydrexler5868]

Thank you so much for this.

[@ultramaximusreviews]

Now this would be a fun animated film adaptation.

[@fireraider747]

Always loved these letters ❤🎄

[@MissGimpsAlot]

This is so sweet 😊 👏👏✌️✌️

[@STMukr]

Thks Matt. Thats a nice video. Bless you laddie. I like to buy this book. I hope it available in my place.❤ Cheers ❤

[@AndrewShort-ox4ck]

I am currently flipping through the deluxe version of these. I love them all but my favourite is the polar bear.

[@jonhowarth9911]

People told me Father Christmas wasn’t real. Turns out they were wrong.

[@richardcintron3181]

New Christmas Lore dropped

[@Hallows4]

Known about this title for a while, and last year even suggested it be used in a Christmas display at the library where I work. Still, had no idea of its true depth :)

[@Jebbtube]

How many fathers go to such lengths to create a story for their kids?

[@LOTR22090able]

Waiting for the orcs to come screaming above you wishing a Merry Christmas

[@gravestone4840]

The Tolkien estate should sue Coca-Cola for making use of his Polar Bear/Santa imagery and overall concept without permission.

[@mrs.manrique7411]

Finally!

[@joshuajohansen1210]

Is this a new series (Beyond Arda)? I imagine its other works of Tolkien that don't fall under the legendarium. If so, I can't wait for Roverandom!

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Father Christmas: I wonder whose worse: The White Witch, or Sauron!

[@talesoftheeldar8688]

a video on Beowulf

[@_jeff65_]

Santa is Maia confirmed ✅

[@Spacechkn]

Is Santa Claus Tom Bombadill?

[@valentinkambushev4968]

No, but they're probably brothers.

[@marcusfridh8489]

Makes sense that he would use Quenya as the Arctic language, as Santa Maria s said to live in Rouvaniemi in nothern Finland. However it could be mixed with some Sami giella too

[@nickdavidson7841]

When you have a lot of time on your hands because there is no Netflix or KZbin.

[@171QA]

I have the book of all of these letters.

[@ItoHiyori]

So Father Christmas is a maiar?

[@MdMamunurRashidAkand1]

Will there be a RoP S2 review of the whole season?

[@NerdoftheRings]

Yep! Probably in January

[@arezoum1366]

Did he do the painting himself? 🥰🥰

[@KR11-w2j]

Have you seen the 8 minute preview of war of the rohirrim yet?

[@ugolinbrayat-pernet2650]

Somehow I'm theorizing : Father Christmas = Tom Bombadil Because why not

[@LetsTalkHerps]

Wow. Polar bear was a G

[@birdschool9052]

I caught “no views” !

[@jefferybushnik3057]

I wonder if there was a wistfulness at the end, after having put so much into these projects over decades only to have your beloved audience age out. In the hindsight of adulthood I'd have kept pretending I believed into my 30s. 😂

[@mbvoelker8448]

My sister and I pretended to believe for several years after we knew so that we wouldn't spoil our parents' fun.

[@istari0]

Quenya? I guess some of Santa's Elves are Noldor.

[@brickboomthing7117]

Something interesting, I believe Tolkien almost called the Noldor "Gnomes." Although, they weren't supposed to be the same gnomes we think of today, but the name has something to do with a certain word for "knowledge."

[@istari0]

@@brickboomthing7117 That's what I remember as well. I think you can find early versions of Tolkien's writings in the Book of Lost Tales I & II where he uses the word Gnomes before changing to Noldor later on.

[@gandalf4751]

😍😍😍✅✅✅

[@dgenerationbigestfan]

Thank you for the christmas wishes! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well! Thank you for making this channel and helping me learn so much more about tolkein and the amazing world/world's he has created.

[@aztecazul]

Geez… this makes me feel like such a lesser father than someone like Tolkien 🥹😭

[@azneph611]

What in the Gandalf's beard is this? lol

[@valentinkambushev4968]

I don't know. Better ask Merlin's beard.

[@tonypapas9854]

"What new devilry is this?"

[@davidponseigo8811]

St. Nicholas is a Catholic Christian Saint and he's grounded in pagan and Christian legend !

[@sajjadalhachami7574]

One of the first