Recently Mrs. Claus and I had the privilege of attending the City of Sandy’s community tree lighting event and kickoff to Winterfest ’24. The weather was dry, which was a stark contrast from last year. Excitement was in the air as friends and neighbors gathered at the beloved event to harken in the Christmas Season. Choirs were singing, music was playing, hot coco flowed like a river.

Mrs. Claus and I made our way through the crowd, greeting everyone as we went along. What would normally be a 15 second walk to the trolly at the other end of the small lot, took us 20 minutes or longer as we mingled and chatted with community members and posed for photos and heard requests.

Once on board the festive “Jolly Trolly” the line began to form. We sat and talked with many for the two hour long event. A young boy of about age 4 ran into my arms when he finally made it to the front of the line. I picked him up and set him on my knee. He looked at me with the most magical look on his face as though he could not believe that he was finally here with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

He put both hands deep in my beard. At this point I silently hoped that he would not pull it. Especially with how deep both hand were in the beard. He gently kneaded through it as though he were kneading dough. His eyes lit up even brighter as he continued the ritual. Then he spoke… “It’s fluffy. It’s so fluffy!” He continued. His family took their place around us and we began chatting and posing for photos. The whole time his hands deep in my beard and repeating how “fluffy” my beard was. For him, this was the real deal! To tangibly touch and see Santa. The moment he had waited all evening for.

We said good bye to one another and I helped him gently off of my lap. As they began to exit the trolly he turned and looked back at me. He then ran with arms wide open back to me and gave me the largest hug a boy his age could possibly give. “Good Bye Santa” he said once more with a smile so large strung across his face. “Merry Christmas” I said to him.

There were many wonderful encounters that evening for both Mrs. Claus and I. But this one has to be my favorite. And truth be told, I think this young boy made me happier than I had made him that night.

As Santa I get a short window of opportunity to see the Christmas Spirit, make the magic, and spread good cheer to children, families and communities, and then it is over again for another year. It is in moments like these that I rediscover the joy of the season. And experience the magic of Santa all over again. I wish you all a happy, safe and healthy Christmas this year.

Father Christmas of the Three Mountains