Simply Saint Nick: My Life as a Real-Life Christian Santa Claus

By John Johnson and Dutch Schrap

His name is Santa Claus. Every Christmas, he is everywhere, and his name fills the mind with visions of sugar plums and presents under the tree.
But have you ever wondered what it was like to be him?
Hop in the sleigh and take a ride with John Johnson, a real-life Christian Santa who has been spreading good cheer over four decades.
In Simply Saint Nick, he shares his experiences, reveals historical and spiritual truths, and spreads a message of faith. As you join the author on his incredible journey, you will receive the most special of gifts.
God has a purpose or calling for each and every one of us, a way for us to bring praise and glory through service. The author found his purpose early on in life, and he has never regretted putting on Santa’s red coat.
Discover how the author has had the time of his life bringing smiles to children of all ages, earning a spot in the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame and sharing God’s love as a beloved holiday icon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385005499

John Johnson

John Johnson has brought love to children of all ages in the beloved guise of Santa Claus over four decades. He began his journey in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, where he was also an actor, musician, playwright, and historical presenter. He has performed Santa in every possible setting. He lives with his wife, Michelle, on the South Carolina coast, where he shares Christ’s message of love, peace, and goodwill.

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Simply Saint Nick

My Life as

a Real-Life

Christian

Santa Claus

JOHN JOHNSON

Foreword by Dutch Schrap

Copyright © 2023 John Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0547-5 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0548-2 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0549-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023915672

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/08/2023

For Michelle, who has always believed in me.

Lottles!

To say there is no Santa Claus is the most erroneous statement in the world. Santa Claus is a thought that is passed from generation to generation. After time this thought takes on a human form. Maybe if all children and adults understand the symbolism of this thought we can actually attain Peace on Earth and good will to men everywhere.

—Charles W. Howard, founder of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa (1948–1965)

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 Cherished Memories

Chapter 2 Post-COVID Christmas

Chapter 3 From Tradition to Reality

Chapter 4 The Magic of the Red Suit

Chapter 5 Mentors

Chapter 6 The Giving Heart

Chapter 7 Life with Mrs. Claus

Chapter 8 Hayley’s Wish

Chapter 9 The Difficult Visits

Chapter 10 Church Visits

Chapter 11 Santa’s Bread and Butter

Chapter 12 Music, Photography, and Santa

Chapter 13 Rocking around the Christmas Tree

Chapter 14 Me and Karl

Chapter 15 Santa and the Main Thing

Chapter 16 The Clauses Head South

Foreword

I t brings me immense joy to introduce my dear friend John Johnson, a gifted author who has penned this captivating book about his personal journey, replete with testimonies and a heartwarming depiction of his experiences with the most cherished icon of the holiday season. Through his stirring narrative, readers are invited to share in his triumphs and tribulations and to see, firsthand, the transformative power of faith, hope, and perseverance. His award-winning portrayal of the beloved figure of Christmas is sure to delight readers of all ages, offering a fresh perspective on this timeless legend. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who seeks inspiration, a renewed appreciation for the joys of the holiday season, and goodness in gen eral.

Whether you are a devout believer or simply curious about the history of Christmas and its religious roots, John’s book is a must-read. It is a skilled work of scholarship and storytelling, a profound reflection on the enduring power of faith and hope in all our lives. I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking a deeper understanding of the spiritual dimensions of a beautiful life surrounding the core of the holiday season.

I first met John in an online forum many years ago. I was at once struck by his deep knowledge of the life, traditions, and miracles surrounding Saint Nicholas, which we all know became the folklore of Santa Claus. See, we are both professional portrayers of Santa Claus with much in common. We have both been awarded the great honor of becoming members of the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame. We are both members and Knights in the prestigious Knights of Saint Nicholas fraternity. More importantly, we both are true community believers in every sense of the word with our wonderful wives wholeheartedly supporting and being involved in our convictions.

John and I finally met in person in July 2010 at a gathering of fellow men in red in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I knew he was coming to the event, and I was most excited to meet him. In true fashion, I found John sitting on the front porch of an old red barn—turned Christmas museum—rocking away on a chair and weaving stories about his life in then-West Virginia, his faith, and his Santa experiences with great passion and humor.

Drawing on his roots as a true good ol’ boy from West Virginia, John brings a unique but religious perspective to the portrayal of Santa. He infuses the character with warmth, kindness, and an unmistakable Southern charm. However, even more importantly, he uses his deep knowledge of Christian history and his personal, unwavering faith in God to inform every page of this remarkable trademark with passion and insight. John offers a fresh perspective on the ways in which he and these beloved figures of the Christmas season have evolved over time and how they continue to shape our understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

As someone who has known John for many years, I will attest to his commitment to his faith and his tireless efforts to spread the word of God to others. His book is a testament to his belief that the story of Saint Nicholas is not just a charming legend but a powerful reminder of the love and compassion that lie at the heart of the Christian message. In fact, I now realize there is far more to John than meets the eye. There is an indescribable quality about him that has always resonated with me on a deep level. Whether we are in the same room, speaking on the phone, or simply exchanging messages online, I am constantly amazed by John’s unwavering spiritual dedication, his sage advice on any matter, his steadfast convictions, and his innate kindness as a person. These wonderful qualities are so admirable that they almost seem … saintly. Coincidence? I think not.

Dutch Schrap, America’s Favorite Santa,

Douglasville, Pennsylvania

Preface

I t is hard for me to fathom that Christmas 2023 will mark forty years since I first put on the red suit and embraced what would become a lifelong ministry to bring joy and hope to so many. For me, that has been my whole purpose. After all, everyone needs hope and joy. With those two things as the cornerstones of my portrayal of Santa Claus, I have found that I have been able to deliver so much more. With even the most momentary measures of joy and hope comes the springing up of another important ingredient in life: faith. I have always looked to not only preach the importance of Christian faith with my words and testimony but also in my sharing of God’s love as a beloved holiday icon. It all comes together in my life.

Many of the stories that I share in this book have been told and retold over the years to so many people with whom I have been blessed to walk along this journey of life. Over the years, I have heard so often the words When will you write a book? It is something that I put off for so many years. It was not until the first of this year that I heard a voice that rang in my ear that told me that now was the time to complete the task. Michelle and I were sitting in our pew at the Myrtle Beach Church of Christ recounting some of my adventures to the minister, Steven Guy, who uttered the same words: When will you write a book? The switch clicked in me, and with the timing being aligned with such an anniversary year, I got to work.

I began the process with going through notes that had been jotted down over the years. Slowly, as I pieced them together with other particulars of my life, I became worried that I would only appeal to the Christmas community. However, as I went along, there was also a certain tone that was appearing that would encourage any reader, particularly those of the household of faith. So with this book, I hope to encourage future Santas who may read this book, as well as send some much-needed encouragement to those who might be dealing with something in their life that hinders them from meeting their calling. What I pray I have done in the writing of this book is to give the world something positive to enjoy reading. I promise it is all true, although I have changed some of the names to protect privacy.

God has a purpose or calling for each and every one of us, a way for us to bring praise and glory through service. I found mine early in my life, and I do not regret putting on the coat and bringing smiles. I hope that when the record is opened and I have to give my account before Him, I trust that God will find that I have always looked to live up to His direction in fulfilling my purpose. He has certainly allowed me to have honors while here, including a place in the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame. Truly, there would be no greater earthly honor that I could receive than knowing that this book simply brought joy to someone else.

So my friend, whether you are reading this at Christmastime or in the heat of summer, I invite you to step inside my workshop for a story or two. Mind the noise as my helpers work on this year’s orders, as the mail is already coming in. Take that nice cozy chair by the fire, and let me tell you my story. I pray that in the reading of this book that you will find something of use to you that will inspire you to give to someone else, just as I give you my story. Read it, and you will