Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis

It’s easy to believe that pain or illness disqualifies us from being used by God, but Santa and Mrs. Claus continue to spread Christmas magic even with Santa’s MS diagnosis. When life seems heavy, it can seem impossible to imagine how we can bring joy to others. But Roger Minton’s story reminds us that God often works through our brokenness to reveal his greatest glory.

Roger Minton, known as “Santa” to children across Michigan, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2022. This news could have been devastating for someone whose mission is to bring Christmas magic to life. Yet Roger didn’t give up. It didn’t stop him from digging out his Santa suit and bleaching his beard snow white.

Roger Loves to Spread the Christmas Magic

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“I really love that just because I look like this, it brings a lot of joy to people,” he said, determined to keep playing the role of Santa that he’s loved since 2008. What keeps him going is something so simple and yet so powerful. Love–love keeps him going.

With the support of his wife Erica and a new treatment plan, Roger pressed on, finding creative ways to manage his symptoms while still spreading holiday cheer. He keeps going even when his body aches after hours in the Santa chair.

He said,  “I’m like, ‘Guess what jolly man, get your butt up! Let’s go have a cookie and we’re going to go do this,” she says. “We both have our darker moments — as I think everybody does — there are times when life beats you down repeatedly and it gets really hard.”

Mrs. Claus Supports Him Through Everything

This is the beauty of how God works. When we feel weak, His strength carries us. Roger’s wife Erica, who plays Mrs. Claus alongside him, echoes this truth. “When everything else hurts and everything’s tough, the greatest thing you can do is love somebody else,” she says. They show how love and faith can sustain us, even in the most challenging seasons.

Their story inspires us to ask: How might God want to use us, even in our pain? Like Roger and Erica, we don’t have to be free of struggle to make a difference. Sometimes, our most significant impact comes when we allow God to shine through our challenges.

If you’re walking through a difficult season, take heart. God isn’t done with you yet. He can use your story, your love, and even your pain to bring joy to others and point them to His goodness, even adding magic to a wondrous season like Roger and Erica.

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Isaiah 40:31 "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

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h/t: People

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Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.