By Greg Olsen, Author of The Spirit of Christmas
Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. I can still vividly remember Christmas when I was just three years old—getting a little farm set and a red fire truck—but more than the gifts, it was the magical feeling that made an impression. Our home felt different during the holidays: the decorations, the smells, the music, even the way the furniture was arranged—it all created this sense of wonder that stuck with me. My parents, especially my dad, went all out. He was like Clark Griswold from Christmas Vacation—there were lights everywhere, and he even built a life-sized nativity scene in our yard, complete with a star above the stable. For me, that blend of Santa’s joy and the reverence of the nativity scene became what Christmas was all about. House with colorful Christmas lights covering the facade and garden, creating a festive display.
As I grew up, I realized that sometimes people see Santa and Jesus as being at odds with each other—as though you had to choose one or the other. But I never saw it that way. For me, they always meshed together seamlessly. Santa’s generosity and joy only added to the story of hope and love that Jesus brings. That’s the idea behind my painting The Spirit of Christmas.
In this piece, Santa has just come down the chimney to leave presents, but he’s paused at the family’s nativity set. He picks up the baby Jesus and just…reflects. I imagine him thinking about Christ’s life, His kindness, His mission of love. And in that moment, Santa feels inspired—he sees that his own acts of giving and joy are part of the same spirit. That’s what I wanted to capture: the idea that the true spirit of Christmas is about love, charity, and kindness, whether it’s through Santa or through Jesus.
I remember during a signing event for this painting, we had Santa there with me—the same Santa from the painting. As I signed each print, so did he, and it was incredible watching the little kids come up to him, arms wide open, hugging him and saying, “Santa, I love you.” In that moment, I thought, this is the closest thing to what it would feel like to have Jesus here with me—because there was so much love and warmth in those children’s faces. It reminded me that the connection between Santa and Jesus isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about spreading love and giving joy, just as both represent in their own way.
This painting and the accompanying book mean a lot to me because they remind me of what really matters during the holidays—giving, loving, and sharing that spirit with others. I hope The Spirit of Christmas brings a little of that magic into your home, just as it’s brought it into mine.
NEW! The Spirit of Christmas: From world-renowned artist Greg Olsen comes a unique poem sharing the true reason for the sacred holiday season of Christmas.
Greg Olsen was raised in a farming community in rural Idaho. His paintings are deeply influenced by his life experiences and spiritual journeys and strive to convey stories that speak to the soul. Olsen’s art has found a place in notable institutions, including the Pentagon, the NCAA Hall of Fame, the US Forest Service, and numerous religious and educational settings. In 1988, a transformative visit to Jerusalem deeply enriched his spiritual and artistic perspectives. This journey would lay the groundwork for his future works, especially in the realm of Christian art. In 1993, he signed a deal with Mill Pond Press, propelling his Christian-themed works into the national spotlight.