For hundreds of years, children around the world have loved the man who comes down through the chimney to deliver holiday cheer every Christmas Eve.

Santa’s has also had a lot of iterations over the years.

He’s known by many names: Old Saint Nick, Kris Kringle and Father Christmas. But perhaps the biggest change is recent.

Today’s Santas are more diverse, bringing children not just gifts but also representation.

Larry Jefferson has been playing Santa for about 20 years. He says playing Santa is his calling in life.

In 1999, he surprised his brothers’ children on Christmas and has been bringing joy to children ever since.

Jeffers says representation is important, “particularly to some of the children who are African American, Hispanic, Asian children, they need to see a Santa Claus that looks like them. Representation matters and it gives them something to identify with as well.”

Though he is a Black Santa, Jefferson says he is also a Santa for all.