Steve Lantz is an actor, pastor, and church planter who works with the Presbyterian Church in America. He also is a professional Santa who tries to use the role, which he models after St. Nicholas and Mr. Rodgers, to try to help push other families and kids toward Jesus.
Over six feet tall and 300 pounds, Mr. Lantz strikes an authentic Santa, particularly with his striking figure and knowledge of St. Nick. Knowing he’d win over kids with his physical likeness to Santa and friendly, Mr. Rodgers-like demeanor, Mr. Lantz decided to give kids the personalized attention they want and need, using that to win them over to Christmas and Christ.
Speaking to the Christian Post about his role and why he decided to keep Mr. Rodgers and his TV show in mind when focusing on his role and talking to the kids, Mr. Lantz said, “I’d heard that Mr. Rogers concentrated on talking to one child at a time rather than the entire television audience.”
He also spoke about St. Nick and why he found that historical figure so powerful and worthy of emulation, “This guy was incredible. He saved girls from lives of prostitution and innocent men from being executed. He gave much of his inheritance to the poor. … I decided that instead of embodying modern, commercial Santa, it was St. Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa, I could play.”
Latz soon had one of his interactions go viral, with a three-year-old in line refusing to sit on his knee to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. Instead of rebuking or cajoling her, he commended her for voicing her opinion and started talking to her about the situation in a heartwarming, funny interaction that her mother filmed.
Speaking about the situation, he said, “Not knowing I was reinforcing what the mom already taught, I said goodbye to Adley and continued to visit with the children waiting in line to meet me.” He also noted that it’s important to teach kids how to firmly establish boundaries, saying, “We need to listen to our kids and help them establish boundaries. Just because someone is young doesn’t mean they lack good sense.”
And it’s not just boundaries that he’s taught to Santa patrons. He also says that his role has helped him bring new crowds to Christ, something he takes very seriously given his role with the church and deep faith, saying he sees the opportunity as one like Jesus had.
He said, “As Santa, I’ve had access to audiences I wouldn’t otherwise have; I take that seriously. It’s a way to engage with kids, yes, but in my experience, adults love Santa even more than kids do. People respond to Santa the way the crowds responded to Jesus. As a Christian, acting as Santa is a means to bring Jesus to new crowds. It’s yet another way to illuminate the darkness.”
Watch his hilarious interaction with the young girl here:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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