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Christmas cards by Alvalyn Lundgren featuring her illustration, Santa’s Prayer (Santa Praying.)

From the Archives: Santa’s Prayer

This very popular image is becoming iconic due to its popularity in memes and other social shares.

For those who have used this image for that purpose and want to know who’s the creator, that’s me. This is Santa’s Prayer, painted in watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil.

I developed this illustration over 10 years ago as the cover art for a Christmas message series by Pastor Daren Laws. The series was titled, Life-Changing Prayers At Christmas. I was given the title, and it was left up to me to determine the creative direction and final image. I was given total creative freedom by a trusting client.

 

An original image of Santa Claus in prayer. Original illustration created in watercolor, gouache and colored pencil on paper.
An original image of Santa Claus in prayer. ©2010 Alvalyn Lundgren. All rights reserved. Original illustration created in watercolor, gouache and colored pencil on paper. This image is watermarked. To license a watermark-free version of this illustration, or request to purchase a print, send me an email.

 

There aren’t many existing images of Santa praying, and most of those are cartoonish in approach and style. I wanted to create a close-up with a serious, reverential look and feel.

In searching for reference sources, I found several photos of older, whiskered men in facial poses similar to what I was looking for. I based Santa’s face on these and used my own hands as reference.

This illustration presents a different approach to the Christmas holiday. It bridges the gap between the commercial and the sacred celebrations by combining the popular culture icon of Santa (made famous in his current form by Coca-Cola) with the Christian celebration.

Holiday cards are available! Order here.

poster for Life Changing Prayers At Christmas illustration by Alvalyn Lundgren

 

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Alvalyn Lundgren

Alvalyn Lundgren is a creative entrepreneur, podcaster, and author who has been freelancing for more than 40 years. She is the founder of Alvalyn Creative, a strategic creative consultancy focusing on brand strategy, visual design, and illustration for businesses, organizations, and independent authors. She is also the founder of several educational initiatives: Freelance Road Trip, Occuprise Network, and Alvalyn Creative Academy, and teaches part time in professional design programs with UCLA Extension and ArtCenter Extended Studies. She resides in southern California. She is the creator of Freelance Road Trip — a business school and podcast for creative freelancers. She teaches design and design practice in certificate programs and independently. Her new book, "Freelancing By Design: Essential Strategies and Proven Tactics To Build a Thriving Freelance Business From Your Creative Work" releases on July 1, 2026.