Obviously, what I say about idols needs to be treated with some caution. Sociologists probably have some other word for idol and I have no idea what it would be or what they are saying about it. What I say is based on a lifetime of observation, nothing more.
Timing
.jpg "Closing on Christmas Eve ...")
Most faiths have festivals and Father Christmas is no exception. It's not that we don't worship him all year round; it's one time of year that brings out the images. The period begins as early as the shops need him to be present and this will depend on the state of the economy. Christmas shopping ends at closing on Christmas Eve. After that the industry gears up for the January sales. This does leave Christmas itself for the Christ child I suppose, although the distractions are many.
The place of worship
The main place of worship is shops. In larger stores special shrines are built into which we take our children for initiation in the rite of Father Christmas. This is backed up by advertising and the general media. By about mid-November it is hard to escape his images.
Later shrines are built in people's homes. There is a vogue these days for houses highly illuminated with whimsical neon characters. Giant inflatable figures have also become popular. For a country so indifferent to religion it is amazing these rites of hearth and home are not recognised for what they are.
The Pantheon
Of course, Father Christmas has a whimsical back story and whimsical allies. These include elves (a bit old hat these days), reindeer, snowmen, robins, turkeys and in recent years penguins. When we see this increasingly bizarre cast of characters we will of course fail to take any of it seriously. This is what I mean when I suggest this is how the values of Father Christmas get under our radar.
Sacrifice
It is our duty to celebrate Christmas as lavishly as possible. Great concern is expressed in the news about the High Street takings each year (far less about the poverty and debt that follow Christmas). The presents are the least problematic element. There is nothing at all wrong with an exchange of gifts (within budget). On top of those we have the food, weird stuff we would not dream of eating any other time of year. And also of course the tat. The decorations, humorous hats, crackers, balloons ...
And of course there is the debt. It is inconceivable that the children (consumers of adverts) don't get what they want and so parents get into debt.
The cult
Of course, Christmas is a time for each family to be reunited and worship at the household shrine. People who live apart for the rest of the year are thrown together for a few days. The cult is not about love, it is about exploitation. There are no values in the modern Christmas which will hold a family together. Close families have their rituals so they can weather it, others fall apart. Of course, none of this is allowed to puncture the relentless cheeriness of the season. If you're determined not to enjoy it, you're on your own.
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