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Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas; regardless of his name, he has long been symbolic of the Christmas spirit in many Western traditions. 

Church leaders have not shied away from the topic of Santa Claus. For a century or more, they have talked about the jolly, red-and-white-suited fellow and how he complements Latter-day Saint Christmas celebrations.

In 1920, John A. Widtsoe stated, “There are men who object to Santa Claus, because he does not exist! Such men need spectacles to see that Santa Claus is a symbol; a symbol of the love and joy of Christmas and the Christmas spirit. In the land of my birth there was no Santa Claus, but a little goat who shoved into the room, carrying with it a basket of Christmas toys and gifts. The goat counted for nothing; but the Christmas spirit, which it symbolized, counted for a tremendous lot.”1

David O. McKay echoed Widtsoe’s sentiment. In an editorial for the December 20, 1923 edition of the Millennial Star, McKay wrote:

"St. Nicholas had the true spirit of Christmas and went about giving comfort to the people, and making children happy. He gave gifts, but concealed the identity of the giver. It is a glorious thing to have St. Nicholas in our hearts and in our homes today, whether he enters the latter through the open door or creeps down the chimney on Christmas eve. To bring happiness to others without seeking personal honor or praise by publishing it is a most commendable virtue."2

While not commentary from a General Authority of the Church, F. Howard Forsyth’s article in the December 1933 Improvement Era took a unique approach to discussing Santa Claus. Titled “Is There a Santa Claus Really?,” Forsyth’s article addresses how our Christmas experience changes as we get older, saying, “[As you got older,] you had to move from a receiving-philosophy to a giving-philosophy, or at least to a Golden Rule attitude . . . and in doing it you discovered Christ.”3 Forsyth also discusses the historical Saint Nicholas, saying that “there really is, or was a Saint Nicholas, if we can trust very insistent legends. He was an exceptionally good man.”4

At a BYU Devotional in 1972, Howard W. Hunter commented, “The legend of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, the decorations of tinsel and mistletoe, and the giving of gifts all express to us the spirit of the day we celebrate; but the true spirit of Christmas lies much deeper than these. It is found in the life of the Savior, in the principles He taught, in His atoning sacrifice—which become our great heritage.” 

Former Young Women General President Ardeth G. Kapp shared some of her Christmas memories in the 1988 December New Era. She spoke of a tradition her family established, inspired by her niece who once asked her mother, “Is it okay if I believe just one more year?” President Kapp expounded:

"Since that memorable happening, our family has established a family tradition. Each Christmas Eve, we gather together around the tree. With the lights low and the fire burning in the fireplace, we ask the question once again, the most important question of the year, ‘Is it okay if we believe one more year?’—not only believe in the traditions of childhood with Santa Claus and reindeer, but more importantly in the message of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birthday we are celebrating."

The December 1994 Ensign featured an article by Jeffrey R. Holland that addressed the true meaning of Christmas. Toward the end of the article, in reference to the night of Christ’s birth and the evolution of the Christmas holiday, Elder Holland mentioned, “Later yet the memory of that night [in Bethlehem] would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph—and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby—that’s how Christmas began.”

In 1998, at the annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional, James E. Faust gave a talk titled “The Man Who Would be Santa.” He described Santa Claus and his attributes:

"First of all he’s a joyous individual. People are attracted to joyous individuals as filings are attracted to a magnet. Next, Santa Claus is interested in making others happy. He increases the happy moments in the life of everyone he meets. He loves his work; he gets fun out of his job. He is childlike, simple, humble, sincere, and forgiving. Finally, he is a giver. His philosophy is to give himself away in service. He is a friend to everyone. He smiles."5

President Faust then advised the audience, “Perhaps you and I could attain greater happiness if we emulated Santa Claus a little more, for his way is the way of the Infant Jesus also.”6

1. John A. Widtsoe, Temple Worship: excerpts from a lecture . M234.5 W641t 1964. Church History Library.
2. Pages 808-809.
3. Pages 844-845.
4. Ibid.
5. James E. Faust, “The Man Who Would be Santa.” First Presidency Christmas Devotional, December 6, 1998.
6. Ibid.