On a rainy Saturday in October, I attended a luncheon gathering with…wait for it…Santa Portrayal Artists.

I had been talking to one of them, Santa Jay, for over two years. Our first interview was January 2020. I had planned to join them for a monthly lunch meetup, but we all know what happened in March of 2020. So this year I finally attended their monthly meetup, the last of 2023. And I had just enough audio to craft a special Christmas episode about these folks, especially after meeting Santa Shed, a middle Tennessee black Santa, who gave me an even fuller picture of how embodying Santa can impact lives in a powerful way.

From the origins of Santa Claus to the heartwarming stories shared by these Santas, it's clear that embodying the spirit of Christmas is more than just donning a red suit.

The episode dives into the history of Santa, tracing back to Saint Nicholas and exploring how the modern image of Santa evolved, thanks to artists like Thomas Nast and the iconic Coca Cola ads.

What struck me most were the personal stories from real-life Santas, like Santa Ben and Mrs. Claus Yvonne, who use their roles to bring joy, comfort, and hope to those in need. And Santa Shed, who's a Middle Tennessee Black Santa who wants to see representation and diversity in the community.

This podcast episode reminded me that Christmas is about more than just presents and decorations—it's about the spirit of giving, love, and bringing joy to others.

Listen here: