Kind-Hearted Santa Prays on His Knees for Sick Children He Just Visited

Santas worldwide are dusting off their red suits in preparation for the festive season, but one from Brownsville, Texas, might win the award for best Father Christmas—a viral photo of him will explain why!

As families gather and make memories over the festive season, children look forward to the presents Santa will drop off under the Christmas tree. However, for many, Christmas is about more than just gifts wrapped in golden ribbons. One Santa proved that his priority was kindness and caring for the sick.

Mariana Whitley Tumlinson, an employee at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, asked Father Christmas to visit the hospital in 2018. She had no idea it would lead to something extra special.

Santa's Unexpected Actions

Tumlinson knew the man in the bright red suit would bring happiness and excitement to a place where it was desperately needed. Santa delivered and cheered up the sick kids.

However, it wasn't his festive hat that left people speechless, but rather something he did on his way out of the hospital. Santa's unexpected actions stunned thousands of people.

While many people have differing views on Christmas, one thing's for sure, this Santa's prayers for the kids came from a place of pure kindness and love.

The Viral Photo

Santa noticed a chapel and asked Tumlinson if he could go inside because he wanted to do something special for the little ones he had just met. He went inside and prayed for the children.

Tumlinson captured the precious moment, and her photo went viral, gaining new popularity each year around Christmas time. She even called the man her favorite Santa and shared:

"I keep getting choked up with this photo. I didn't walk in with him right away, but when I did, I was so moved by this image I had to capture it. What a great reminder of the reason for the season."

It Was an Emotional Scene

The emotional scene showed Santa kneeling on one knee and praying before a portrait of Jesus Christ. Tumlinson couldn't pass the opportunity of sharing the moment with others, and it gained close to forty thousand likes and countless comments.

While many people have differing views on Christmas, one thing's for sure, this Santa's prayers for the kids came from a place of pure kindness and love.

Tumlinson's Facebook page is filled with various projects she is involved in, from raising awareness for breast cancer to walking to end Alzheimer's. She is an inspiration, and to this day, her photo of Santa remains the most popular!

The Online Reaction

The photo of Santa touched netizens, and many agreed with Tumlinson, saying it displayed the true meaning of Christmas. Other online users described what the image meant to them, while many people also applauded Santa's kind gesture:

"A true reminder of what Christmas is all about!"

- (Clara Douwenga) October 20, 2022

"Beautiful. His [prayers] will be answered. I carry a card in my purse of this picture for many many years."

- (Teresa Montagano) December 27, 2020

"This is an amazing photo. Should go on the December calendars."

- (Bea Reid) December 19, 2021

"The most beautiful thing that I have seen in a long time. Impossible not to feel touched by it."

- (Augusto De Olmos) December 13, 2020

"A photo that I cannot attach enough words to. But Santa, thank you for your prayers and the love and smiles you pass to others."

- (Ronald Gordon Skipper Banks) December 21, 2019

Christmas is a time for love, joy, and peace; this Texas Santa understood that. He was less concerned about giving away presents and focused on praying for needy and sick children. Bravo to him!

Click here for another beautiful Christmas story. A young girl did her best to help her father raise her five siblings, and one day a secret Santa came up to her, making her day.