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When my sons were still counting their ages in single digits, they loved J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Father Christmas Letters." These were yearly messages describing in words and pictures the life and times of Father Christmas at the North Pole. My sons were sad when they reached the end of the thin volume. That gave me the idea for a little project that went on for three or four Christmases before the boys outgrew it

I had forgotten all about it until a few days ago when I pulled the Tolkien book out of one of those shelves of books that take up space but never get read. I was killing time waiting for a phone call. I thought I might get into the Christmas spirit by skimming the book and delighting in Tolkein's colored pictures. Into my lap fell envelopes that had been inside the back cover for nearly thirty years - my attempts to emulate the master and carry on his North Pole saga.

I had the boys write letters to the North Pole listing their hoped-for gifts. Later, then I addressed an envelope with my approximation of Tolkein's odd lettering.I added fake postmarkings and canceled stamps. Then I would pen a letter to the boys with news of the North Polar Bear, the Snow Boys,the North Mongolian Moppetts and Goblins. I used red and black ink and imitated Tolkein's wiggly script. I wished that I had the talent to do paintings like those collected in Baillie Tolkein's book (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1976).

Baillie is the wife of J.R.R.'s youngest son Christopher. The letters cover the years from 1925 to 1938.

Here is my 1976 production minus the fanciful lettering.

Dear Brian and Derek,

I was very happy to hear from you. I didn't know you both could write so well! My spies tell me that you have fine teachers who love you very much and that is why you are learning so fast.

It has been a cold winter here at the North Pole. The North Polar Bear has had six battles with the red goblins. They think they can stop Christmas this year. [NO WAY!] We are short of rubber now because of making slingshots for the war.

I hope to havee some surprises for you this year. I like coming to your house except that last year your dog Trilby got into my sleigh and ate a whole box of cookies while I was busy filling your stockings.

I must get back to work now. Be good and love one another.

Santa [Father Christmas]

I can't remember what caused an interruption in 1977, but here is 1978.

Dear Brian and Derek,

Well, it's Christmas once again! First let me apologize for not writing last year. It is funny (looking

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