Why I Believe in Jesus… and Why I Portray Santa
A Personal Christmas Reflection from Santa Mark
✨ More Than a Red Suit
Every Christmas season, children run toward me with excitement.
Parents place tiny babies into my arms.
Grandparents smile as another generation experiences the wonder of Christmas.
For a few precious moments…
I’m Santa Claus.
It is one of the greatest privileges of my life.
But before I am Santa…
Before the velvet suit.
Before the white gloves.
Before the laughter of “Ho, Ho, Ho.”
I am simply…
A man who believes in Jesus Christ.
That is the man behind the beard.
❤️ Christmas Began Long Before Santa
🎄✨✝️
People often ask me what Christmas means to me.
The answer has never changed.
Christmas didn’t begin with Santa Claus.
It didn’t begin with decorated trees.
It didn’t begin with stockings, lights, presents, or reindeer.
Christmas began in Bethlehem.
It began with God’s incredible love for mankind.
The greatest Christmas gift was never placed beneath a tree.
He was laid in a manger.
📖 God’s Love Story
The Bible tells us in words that have brought hope to millions:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 (KJV)
Every Christmas…
I read those words again.
Not because I’ve forgotten them.
But because I never want to forget why Christmas exists.
God didn’t send His Son because we earned His love.
He sent Him because He already loved us.
That truth still amazes me.
🎅 Why I Chose to Portray Santa
People sometimes ask,
“Can someone who believes in Jesus portray Santa Claus?”
For me…
The answer has always been yes.
Not because Santa replaces Christ.
He never could.
Santa is a wonderful Christmas tradition.
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
Those are two very different things.
When I portray Santa…
I don’t want children to see perfection.
I simply hope they experience kindness.
When I kneel beside a frightened child…
When I quietly listen to a Christmas wish…
When I comfort someone who is grieving…
When I visit a nursing home…
When I make a lonely senior smile…
I hope they experience something that reflects the love God has shown every one of us.
🌟 The Santa I Hope Children Remember
Not because my beard was real.
Not because my suit was beautiful.
Not because I had the perfect laugh.
I hope they remember…
That Santa listened.
That Santa was patient.
That Santa cared.
That Santa made them feel important.
Because every child is important.
Every single one.
Not because Santa says so.
Because God says so.
✝️ The Baby in the Manger
Sometimes we celebrate Christmas without stopping to ask…
Why did Jesus come?
He came because we needed a Savior.
The baby lying in Bethlehem’s manger would one day walk dusty roads…
Heal the sick…
Comfort the brokenhearted…
Teach truth…
Carry a cross…
Die for our sins…
Rise again.
Christmas isn’t the end of the story.
It’s the beginning.
The manger points to the cross.
The cross points to an empty tomb.
And the empty tomb points to everlasting hope.
❤️ Through the Years
I’ve portrayed Santa since 1975.
Over those years, I’ve met thousands of children.
Thousands of parents.
Thousands of grandparents.
I’ve celebrated Christmas with families experiencing some of the happiest moments of their lives.
I’ve also stood beside families quietly carrying heartbreak.
I’ve learned something that surprises many people.
People aren’t just looking for Christmas.
They’re looking for hope.
Real hope.
Hope that lasts after the decorations are packed away.
Hope that remains after life becomes difficult.
The only place I’ve found that kind of hope…
Is in Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 (KJV)
🌲 The Greatest Gift
The presents beneath our Christmas trees will someday be forgotten.
Children grow older.
Lights come down.
Wrapping paper is thrown away.
Even Santa eventually hangs up his suit for another year.
But God’s gift never grows old.
His love never changes.
His mercy never runs out.
His promises never fail.
That is why Christmas still fills my heart with joy.
🙏 If We Were Sitting Together
If we were sitting together beside a warm fireplace…
Just you and me…
No crowds.
No cameras.
No Christmas rush.
And you asked me…
“Santa Mark…what do you really believe?”
My answer would be very simple.
I believe Jesus Christ is exactly who He claimed to be.
I believe He loves you.
I believe He died for your sins.
I believe He rose again.
And I believe His invitation is still open today.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
❤️ My Prayer for You
Whether we’ve ever met…
Whether you’ve invited me into your home…
Whether you’re reading this from across town or across the world…
My prayer is the same.
That your Christmas is filled with peace.
That your family is surrounded by love.
That your heart discovers hope.
And that you come to know the One whose birth we celebrate.
Because the greatest gift of Christmas isn’t found beneath a tree.
It is found in Jesus Christ.
🎄 From the Man Behind the Beard
People know me as Santa Mark.
But before I ever wore a Santa suit…
I belonged to Jesus Christ.
That is my greatest identity.
It always will be.
If you remember only one thing from this article…
Please remember this:
Christmas isn’t ultimately about Santa.
It isn’t about presents.
It isn’t even about traditions.
Christmas is God’s love story to the world.
May God richly bless you and your family this Christmas, and always.
— Mark McIntyre
Santa Mark
About the Author
Mark McIntyre, known to thousands as Santa Mark, has portrayed Santa since 1975. While he is honored to bring joy to children and families each Christmas season, his greatest joy is found in his faith in Jesus Christ. Through Santa4California, he strives to reflect kindness, compassion, and hope while never losing sight of the true meaning of Christmas.
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