Little Ryan sat quietly at the window, staring at the falling snow. He loved snow, but today he was sad. Why? It was Christmas Eve, and he was scared that the snow might ruin his Christmas. Ryan was afraid that his older brother Ron would not be able to make it home for Christmas because of the snowstorm.

“What about my special present for him!” Ryan thought. Wonder what it was? Ryan had painted a picture of their garden with his best crayons and wanted to gift it to Ron for Christmas to hang in his hostel room.

Just then his father called, “We need to go to town to finish our Christmas shopping. We also have to buy our tree so dress up soon.”

Ryan dressed and followed his dad out. Picking up his small shovel, he set to work. Helping dad shovel the snow made him feel better.

Soon, they were on their way to the town. Because of the snow, Mr Jones, Ryan’s dad, had to drive slowly. “I have my picture for Ron with me,” Ryan announced to all, “I hope to find a frame to fit it when we get to the shopping mall.”

When they reached the mall, Ryan ran over to a counter selling glossy, tall trees. “Ron will love this tree mum!” he shouted and then he remembered. Ron might not be home at all. He felt depressed again.

Mom and dad came over to see the tree Ryan had found. “That’s a great tree. We should buy it. And even if Ron isn’t here to see it, he’d still be happy we had such a beautiful tree,” said Dad.

His parents then took Ryan to the counter where picture frames were sold. He checked it all and said, “I like this wooden one. It reminds me of the wooden tree-house in my picture.”

The wooden frame was just the right size and Ryan was very pleased. “I’m getting this just in case Ron can make it,” he said.

“I know how much you want him to be here tonight,” his mum said, “but it is still snowing hard. Honey, you mustn’t be too disappointed.”

“But I can wish he’d come,” Ryan asked. Then Ryan noticed a crowd of people on his way out. He ran to get a closer look and saw it was Santa! Children were sitting on his lap and talking to him.

“Daddy can I go and speak to Santa?” begged Ryan. Dad agreed and Ryan ran to get into the queue of kids waiting for their turn to speak to Santa line. It seemed to take forever, but finally it was his turn.

When Ryan climbed up on Santa’s lap, Santa asked, “What would you like for Christmas little one?”

“I wish my brother Ron could get home,” Ryan said. “The snow is so deep that mum and dad don’t think he can make it.”

“Well, I don’t deliver people on Christmas Eve, just toys,” said Santa. “But let me tell you a secret. Tonight, make a wish on the biggest, brightest star – the Wishing Star – in the sky before going to bed.”

“Will it really work?” Ryan pleaded. “Well, give it a try little one,” said Santa.

It was snowing harder on the way home, but Ryan did not give up hope. Back home, he told them about Santa’s Wishing Star.

“We do make wishes every now and then,” said mum, “but sometimes they may not come true.”

“I’m going to try, anyway,” insisted Ryan.

That night after dinner, the three of them decorated the Christmas tree with colored lights and balls and lots of tinsel. Ryan thought sadly, “It would be so wonderful if Ron were here to see our beautiful tree.”

Mr Jones put a beautiful golden angel on the pinnacle. “I think this is the best tree we’ve ever had!” he exclaimed.

Ryan put the final touches on the tree and went over to the window and looked out. The snow had stopped falling. And right overhead, was a star the little one had never seen before. It was the biggest and brightest star in the sky, sparkling, just as Santa had said.

Ryan closed his eyes and said, “Please, please make my Christmas wish come true Wishing Star. I wish my Ron would come home tonight, so we can have fun together this Christmas.”

It was time to go to bed and Ryan did so after hanging his stocking by the fireplace. He kissed his parents and went to his room.

His parents too hoped their elder son would be home!

Just then they heard someone knocking on the front door.

“Who is it at this time of the night?” asked dad.

The door flew open, and guess what!!!!! There was Ron with his bags and baggages, panting for breath!

Ryan rushed to the door, flung his little arms around his brother, and simply threw Ron on the sofa.

He was so happy! Ron had come after all. His Christmas wish had come true! His big brother was there with him. Ron eyes too glistened with tears – of joy. Ryan was dearest to him.

That night, sleeping next to Ron, hugging him tight, when Ryan looked out of his window, he saw the Wishing Star was still there in the sky.

“Thank you, Wishing Star. Thank you Jesus,” he whispered. “I knew you would make my dream come true. Thanks again for making this my best Christmas ever!”