A merry Santa Claus brought joy to patients at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s before Christmas. (photo courtesy of Cedars-Sinai)

‘Twas the days before Christmas and a singing Santa Claus made the rounds at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s.

Santa wheeled a wagon through the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center campus as he brought toys to young patients and their siblings. Santa also sang holiday songs while cuddling the tiny babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. And he gifted parents with keepsake ornaments decorated with their baby’s name and footprints.

“It feels fantastic,” said Christine Silverman, whose one-week-old son, Murray, was in the NICU after being born prematurely.

NICU social worker Alva Gregorio, said parents were grateful for the opportunity to take a photo of their babies with Santa during their first Christmas, something many were afraid they would miss while being in the hospital.

“It brings a sense of normalcy to the families who have to be in the hospital during the holidays,” said one of the NICU social workers, who dressed as an elf and helped Santa deliver toys as part of the annual holiday tradition. “Some children worry Santa won’t find them because they are in the hospital, so seeing him here handing out gifts brings them great joy.”

For information, visit cedars-sinai.org.