HOUSEHOLD GODS

Nërp has done his best with Xmas – trying to understand the concept, get in the Xmas mood etc – but at heart he just doesn't get it.
Today he asked me about what he calls our 'household gods'.
'When so-called 'primitive peoples' erect statues and effigies of their various gods, we mock them' he began, 'But at Xmas rational, civilised people erect all manner of effigies and graven images of this "Father Xmas" household god – I don't understand. Can you explain it to me, Wilson's New Dad?'
I find it extremely difficult to explain concepts like this to such a rational being…