ANNA stared in awe at the huge Christmas tree in the mall, decorated with gold lights, multi-coloured ornaments, and garlands. At the top of the tree was a glittering golden star, and she gasped, marvelling at how incredibly beautiful it was. In her little heart, there was joy and a wonderful feeling that this blessed season brings.
“Anna,” her father called, “C’mon.”
She ran to him and took his hand, elated that he had taken a day off work so they could go Christmas shopping. She also wanted to see Santa Claus because she had a special secret wish to share with him.

“Ho, ho, ho!” Santa greeted her. “What’s your name, little girl?”
“I’m Anna,” she said, then whispered, “I have a special wish.”
“Okay,” Santa whispered back, “What’s your wish?”

She handed him a note, and he smiled, a bit uncertain as he read it. The child had asked for a special miracle for her Christmas gift.
She wanted a mother.
Anna had been only four years old when her mother was called away to the Lord’s home, leaving her alone with her father. They had always celebrated the Christmas holidays together, but her mother’s absence had left a void. It was never the same without the refreshing scent she brought to the house, her radiant smile, and her cheerful voice.
The little girl, now eight years old, wanted her own little family with someone like the mother she had lost. She knew her father was still sad, and though he had gone on dates occasionally, he still seemed lonely.

“How do I find her?” the child wondered. Everywhere she went—church, the supermarket, the movies, the park—her little heart could not recognise anyone.
So, this Christmas, she decided to ask Santa.
That night, her father kissed her good night. “Sweet dreams, my little princess.”
“Good night, Daddy,” she said with a sweet smile.

Her father looked at her sleeping face, sadness in his eyes. It was still hard for him to deal with the loss of his wife and to see his child yearning for a mother’s love.
The school’s Christmas concert was two weeks away, and Anna was busy with rehearsals. She was singing with the choir and doing a solo, but Mrs Farier, the music teacher, unexpectedly fell ill just four days before the big night. No one else could be found to take her place on such short notice, and panic began to set in among the children and their parents.
But it was Christmas, a season when magical things happen.

A pianist friend of one of the teachers, on vacation from the Netherlands, offered to help.
On a chilly morning, the children had gathered in the music room, unsure if they would be able to perform in the concert, when a mellow voice called from the door, “Good morning, children.”
Standing at the door was a stunningly beautiful woman with lustrous dark brown hair and a simple, casual look.
“Good morning,” they said in unison.

“My name is Arianna, and I’m your volunteer music teacher.”
“Hooray!” everyone cheered.
She had a warm, lovely smile, light dancing in her soft brown eyes, and Anna felt her heart exult with joy.
“Oh my gosh,” she gasped quietly. “Is she the one?”
She stayed calm, focusing on her rehearsal, and by the end of the class session, she was sure Arianna was the one.

Anna could hardly wait to get home to tell her father, breathless with excitement. He held her gently by the shoulders.
“Whoa, whoa, take a deep breath and speak slowly.”
“She’s very beautiful and has a sweet voice. You’ve got to meet her!”
“Okay, she sounds like a nice person,” her father said casually, not wanting to add to her excitement. “But she and I are strangers to each other, and she may not find me interesting.”

“You’re a handsome and nice guy. Why shouldn’t she?”
“Well, she could be married.”
“There’s no ring on her finger.”
“She could have a boyfriend.”
“Well, maybe, but you could at least try,” Anna urged. “Please.”

“Okay,” he said with a sigh. “Anything for you.”
Arianna was at the piano rehearsing with the choir when Anna’s father stopped by.
“Hello,” he said apologetically. “Sorry to interrupt—just checking to see how my little girl is doing.”
“And who is…?” she was about to ask when Anna raised her hand.
“Hi, Dad!”

Arianna smiled and said, “She’s doing great.”
Anna’s father nodded, smiling casually with just a hint of charm. For a brief moment, as their eyes met, something magical happened.
On the last day before the Christmas concert, as the session ended and the children began to leave, Anna hesitated, wanting to say something but not knowing how.
Arianna noticed her hesitation and called out, “Anna, is there something on your mind you’d like to talk about?”
“Yes, Miss.”

Taking a deep breath, Anna asked, “Would you like to marry my father?”
Arianna looked at her, taken aback, and for a moment, she was speechless.
“What?”
“I don’t have a mum, and I asked Santa for a mum for Christmas. When you came, I knew it was you.”

Arianna was touched by the child’s words. With an understanding smile and a tinge of regret, she said, “I’m sorry for the loss of your mother, but I really don’t know your father well.”
“He’s a nice guy, and he thinks you’re very beautiful.”
“Well, that’s nice to know,” Arianna said with a little laugh. “So here’s what—we have a concert to do, and maybe we’ll talk about this later.”
Anna was hopeful, but she didn’t see Arianna again after the concert. Then, the day before Christmas Eve, Arianna stopped by to say she couldn’t stay for Christmas. Her family wanted her home to discuss a proposal from a business magnate’s son.

Anna’s joy melted into sadness, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
On Christmas morning, she didn’t rush downstairs to see what Santa had brought. She stayed huddled in bed, heartbroken.
Her father tried to cheer her up. “Don’t you want to see what Santa brought you?”
“No.”
“I think you should.”

He lifted her into his arms and told her to close her eyes as he carried her downstairs. Setting her down gently, he said, “Now open your eyes.”
There, by the Christmas tree, stood the most beautiful gift Anna could have wanted—dark hair, a lovely smile, and light in her eyes.
“Merry Christmas, Anna,” Arianna said.
“You didn’t leave!” Anna squealed with delight and ran to hug her.

“I don’t know how,” Arianna said, holding the little girl. “But I was overcome by a strong feeling not to leave, and I thought I’d get to know your father a little more.”
He smiled, and the look he shared with Arianna spoke more than words could.
Anna felt like the happiest girl in the world, for she had gotten her Christmas gift—wrapped in love.