''The Hundred-Year Christmas'' is a fantasy novel by David Morrell, who is best known for being the creator of

John Rambo John James Rambo (born July 6, 1947) is a fictional character in the ''Rambo'' franchise. He first appeared in the 1972 novel '' First Blood'' by David Morrell, but later became more famous as the protagonist of the film series, in which he was ...

in his earlier novel ''

First Blood ''First Blood'' (also known as ''Rambo: First Blood'') is a 1982 American action film directed by Ted Kotcheff, and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, who also stars as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo. It co-stars Richard Crenna as Rambo's mentor ...

''. ''The Hundred-Year Christmas'' was first published in

1983 The year 1983 saw both the official beginning of the Internet and the first mobile cellular telephone call. Events January * January 1 – The migration of the ARPANET to Internet protocol suite, TCP/IP is officially completed (this is consid ...

by Donald M. Grant in an edition of 700 copies, which were signed and numbered.

Origin

The novel was originally written as a Christmas present for Morrell's two children, and the children in the novel are named after Morell's son and daughter.

Plot

The novel concerns the friendship between

Father Christmas Father Christmas is the traditional English name for the personification of Christmas. Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer, and typically considered to be synonymous with Santa Claus, he was originally part of a much older and unrel ...

, who lives for 100 years, and Father Time, who lives for only one. Each year Santa Claus watches a new version of his friend grow old and die, before being replaced; however, Santa's hundred years is up and it is now his turn to find a replacement. If he fails then no one will be around to take care of the infant Father Time and time itself will stop.

Reception

''The Hundred-Year Christmas'' was nominated for a World Fantasy Award in 1984 for best short story.

Notes

References

* 1983 American novels American fantasy novels Santa Claus in fiction Christmas novels Donald M. Grant, Publisher books {{1980s-novel-stub