Children at a Washington DC hospital got an early Christmas surprise from Barack Obama. The former president sang carols, visited patients and brought gifts. He said:

“Merry Christmas and happy holidays to the extraordinary kids, families, and staff at Children’s National. And thanks for humoring me as your stand-in Santa.”

The Washington Post writes:

“I know they will be talking about it for years to come,” said Kurt Newman, chief executive and president of Children’s National Health System. “At such a busy time of year, when no one wants to be in the hospital, his natural warmth lifted the spirits of those kids, their parents and of each staff member he met along the way.”

Watch more above.