Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Christmas Lives Up to Name

POMPANO BEACH -- Every day is Christmas for the firefighter who is leading Pompano Beach Fire Rescue's toy giveaway.

And with a name like Christopher Christmas, he doesn't really have a choice.

Yes, as he's answered for most of his 41 years, it's his real name, a legacy from his late father.

"His name was Homer Christmas, and he was also a firefighter in Palm Beach County," Christmas said. "He didn't like the name Homer, and was teased so much, called Kris Kringle and all that, he legally changed his name to Chris."

A brother, Rick Christmas, is a captain with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Their aunt's name is Merry.

Let the jokes ensue.

"I am so used to it, it doesn't bother me anymore," said the driver and paramedic who was irked by the name until he grew past adolescence. "Even my daughters get all the questions."

They would be Kori, 16, and Kassandra, 14, who with their mother Christina have joined him during his decade of volunteering for the Christmas Express.

The tradition -- when presents are given to about 2,000 kids on the morning of the 25th -- is estimated by the city to have begun more than 25 years ago.

This season is supposed to bring kindness and goodwill, and the firefighter said his name and the Express have both brought him those gifts.

As a new hire while still on probation, Christmas' moniker caught the attention of the former supervisor who ran the toy giveaway and taught him about finding gift givers, donated storage spaces and volunteers.

But curiosity about his name is never-ending.

"The jokes all run together now," Christmas says. "The ones I hear the most? 'Are you born on Christmas, and is your dad Santa Claus?' I've always told them yes, and you better be nice, or I'll let him know."

He'd rather attention be focused on the Express that is sponsored by the city and supported by people who live or work there. Kids can earn double community service hours by helping unload warehouses into a huge U-HAUL truck on Christmas Eve. Or they can give out gifts at five stops on Christmas morning to children summoned by Santa.

But they'll want to bring hankies. Christmas says overjoyed kids whose faces light up or who cry can get his waterworks going.

He doesn't think he was born to run the Express.

"But with the name Christopher Christmas, you've got Christ in your name twice," he said. "You feel like you've got to be good; you've got to give back. There's something there. I wouldn't say that I'm religious, but I believe."

Volunteers can contact him at Christopher.Christmas@copbfl.com.

Ltrischitta@Tribune.com, 954-356-4233 or Twitter @LindaTrischitta

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