Q&A with Santa: Meet Santa Josiah

Indianapolis has a handful of Santas who spend Nov. 25-Dec. 25 bustling around the city, helping to make the holiday season magical for kids and parents alike.  For the last eight years, local pastor and educator Josiah McCruiston has been Santa Claus for Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, the Indiana State Museum and more. The Recorder sat down with Santa Josiah to discuss what makes Saint Nick so special.  Local educator and pastor Josiah McCruiston is one of Indianapolis’ many different Santas. (Photo provided/Josiah McCruiston) What got you into this job? What made you decide to learn how to be Santa? McCruiston: I originally was doing something called the Jazz and Jive Toy Drive. It was a small Christmas show where I played a singing Santa Claus. It happened in Bloomington, Indiana, and it also happened Downtown at the Indiana Historical Society, and there was an opportunity for me to not only sing but also to pass out presents at the end and also take photos. People really enjoyed not only my singing, but they also enjoyed my time with them as Santa. The following year, someone reached out to me to see if I would be willing to be their, like,...