Didn't the Puritans outlaw Christmas as a pagan holiday or something like that?
But a problem is that Luther is said to have brought in a Christmas tree. I haven't seen that debunked so I assume it's true.
I don't know about Luther's views on Christmas, but during the religious conflicts in 16th and 17th century Britain Christmas was a hot potato issue - their 'Christmas wars' make the modern American version seem tame. The Puritans were, indeed, opposed to the celebration of Christmas, as they saw it a popish festival with pagan trappings and, most importantly, an encouragement to licentiousness and sin.
During the time of Puritan theocracy in the interregnum, the celebration of Christmas was banned, along with gambling, theatres, sport on Sundays, and most things that might be considered fun.
The origins of the Father Christmas figure, who has nowadays become mixed up with the Santa tradition, comes from anti-Puritan satires; with the jolly old man symbolising feasting and celebration at Christmas.