Jim Morgan’s devotion to Santa Claus began mid-shift in a factory in Central Illinois.  Up until the moment his full, white beard landed him in a Santa hat and delivering gifts at his company party, Jim Morgan spent his time as a deacon, a coach or a husband – but never a Santa Claus.

“That first year his coworkers gathered around and told him, ‘You’re doing a terrific job, with the kids. They’re so happy!’” said Jim’s Mrs. Claus, Linda Morgan. “ I told them ‘Well, they ought to be happy. He’s promising every one of them a pony and a baby brother.’”

Since then, Jim Morgan books 40-70 Santa gigs a year, and has learned to never make promises to the children who throw themselves onto his lap, and real personal sentiments.

“Some will tell us, ‘we want our mother to be cured from cancer for Christmas,” Linda Morgan said.

The spirit of Christmas is sometimes enough to bring Jim Morgan to tears.

“They think I can do something about it,” he said.

Trying to do something about it, however, is precisely why Jim Morgan became involved with the Central Illinois Santa Club.

Scattered throughout the region are roughly 25 enthusiasts clad in red year-round, in the spirit of reminding people of the magic of Santa Claus.

“We have no leader. We have no dues. We have no constitution,” Jim Morgan said. “We just get together.”

Over the years, the Morgans have met and befriended couples who share their busy, holiday-inspired lifestyle.

“People will ask, ‘why do you get together?’” Linda Morgan said. “Well we have something in common, so we enjoy each other’s company and we share stories.”

From season to season, the Central Illinois Santas commit to their roles, wearing red no matter the weather, and always remaining in character.

“There’s a spirit there, whether you believe in Santa Claus or not. People are kinder and nicer during Christmas time and we wish that prevailed all year long,” Jim Morgan said. “We hear stories that are sad sometimes and we can’t do anything about it. But we can try to make them feel better and we can hug them and tell them to do their best.”

One memory stands out to the Morgans as a manifestation of the Christmas Spirit they so ardently celebrate.

Seated at a table set for Breakfast with Santa was an unenthusiastic 12-year-old boy, who the Morgans described as trying very hard not to talk to Santa. After about 40 minutes the boy left his chair and surprised Jim Morgan with an innocent gesture.

“I looked up and he had taken a napkin and written a Christmas list, and came over and hugged me around the neck and said, ‘I made a list,’” Jim Morgan said.

“He decided he did believe,” Linda Morgan added.

The daughter of a Christian woman and a farming father, Linda Morgan lived a childhood absent of Santa Claus.

“My mother was Christian, my father was not,” she said. “He was a hard working dirt farmer and he wanted credit for everything we got. So we were not taught Santa Claus.”

Even when she was faced with the decision to teach her own children about Santa, she opted out.

“And I did not teach my kids Santa Claus because I was a Christian and I didn’t want them to confuse the two,” she said.

In fact, when Linda and Jim Morgan married, she only agreed to be Mrs. Claus under the condition she would be allowed to solicit the “true story of Christmas” at events.

“We not only believe in Santa, but we believe in the miraculous birth of Christ,” Linda Morgan said.

The Morgans believe today’s image of Santa Claus can be attributed to a Greek Orthodox priest in Turkey by the name of Saint Nicholas. The wealthy priest lived among impoverished peoples, Jim Morgan said. At the end of each day, he added, the children would hang their stockings up by the fireside where Saint Nicholas would leave gold coins to prevent daughters from being sold into marriage.

“He paid their dowry so they wouldn’t have to be married when they were little girls,” Jim Morgan said.

Despite the Morgan’s religious affiliations, the couple lives the lifestyle of Mr. and Mrs. Claus to see the pleased reactions of those they encounter.

“I only believed in Santa until I was about four or five. I had an older brother,” Jim Morgan said. “I’ve seen kids 13 or so – I think they still did believe. I never assume that they don’t.”

Katie Smith can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].