Editing Father Christmas (section)

==== Father Christmas in folk plays ====
By the late 18th century, Father Christmas became a central figure in folk plays, particularly the mummers plays of Southern England and Wales. In these plays, he delivered ritual opening speeches reminiscent of Taylor's 1652 work:

''"Here comes I, old Father Christmas, welcome or welcome not, / I hope old Father Christmas will never be forgot. / Old Father Christmas appear[s] but once a year, / He looks like an old man of fourscore year."''

These performances cemented Father Christmas’s role as a traditional figure of festive merriment, bridging the 17th-century allegories with the growing folkloric traditions.