Hogfather — Terry Pratchett

It's that most wonderful time of the year, Hogswatchnight, when the Hogfather himself dons his red suit and climbs in his sleigh pulled by--of course!--eight hogs, bringing gifts to all the boys and girls of Discworld. But this year someone else is riding the sleigh. Death. He's had to stand in for the missing fat man--otherwise the sun won't shine tomorrow....

It's up to Discworld's intellectual elite--with the help of a motley collection of unusual cohorts--to come up with a plan to save the universe. And they'd better hurry....

Yes, there's a "new" Hogfather in town.

HO. HO. HO.