Episode 35: Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, and the Cosmic Story of Christmas: A Conversation with Addison Hodges Hart

In this Christmas-season episode, Jesse Hake speaks with author, retired parish priest, and former university chaplain Addison Hodges Hart about Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, and the meaning of the Nativity, drawing on stories and poetry ranging from Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas, C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and "The Turn of the Tide", John Masefield’s The Box of Delights, to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Their conversation touches on the legends of St. Nicholas—his dowry gifts for the three daughters, the tale of the three murdered boys, and even the stories set beautifully to music in Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicolas Oratorio. Hart reflects on Mary through the lens of The Protoevangelium of James and the theological symbolism found in iconography, echoing themes explored in his own book Four Gospels: Four Hearts, One Lord: reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in Context.

The discussion explores the wisdom of keeping Advent through fasting and restraint, enriched by traditional carols such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and recordings from the Robert Shaw Chorale. The episode warmly recommends ghost-story traditions associated with Christmas—especially works by M. R. James, E. F. Benson, and Arthur Machen—alongside Hart’s own collection Patapsco Spirits: Eleven Ghost Stories. Hart shares how Norwegian customs, from the Jule Nisse to festive foods like lamb ribs and kohlrabi, shape the season where he lives. Throughout the conversation, the Incarnation emerges as a cosmic event—one that overturns the powers of darkness, fulfills ancient hopes, and invites Christians to keep both Advent and Christmas with depth, joy, and imagination. Listeners may enjoy further writings by Hart at the Pragmatic Mystic: An Orthodox Miscellany. Additionally, listeners may be interested in Bishop Eric Varden’s book Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses and ClassicalU's course “Chastity as the Power to Love: A Discussion as Parents and Teachers on the Reconciliation of the Senses Toward the Fullness of Desire” that will release soon in our last newsletter before Christmas.