It was such a special time. You could feel the excitement in the air, oozing off of the children and even some adults. Some called it the happiest time of the year. Sprite knew she had a very special purpose. All of them did. She felt oh so very important to be hanging on the huge tree in the mall. The construction paper angel had been cut out just that morning. The shaky woman with squinty eyes that brimmed over with Love had placed Sprite there. Sprite could hear her hoarse old voice whispering as she gingerly placed several other paper angels on the tree. “Lord, you know each child…you formed them in their mothers womb…Lord, you are our protector and the provider- I ask that you watch over this angel… bring just the person you have planned to take it from the tree. I pray the child this angel represents will be blessed this Christmas with a gift that can’t be bought… your unconditional love… your mercy… your grace. Amen.”

“What an honor!” Sprite thought to herself. “The Lord will be bringing someone to take me home!!!”

Sprite looked around at the other angels. Each one of them was a different color. Each inscribed with the need of a child in the city. The smelly spruce tree was lit up with twinkling white lights. It had glittering balls, crystal bells, and even some real candy canes hanging in between the angels. Sprite wondered if her color stood out more than the others.

The mall soon began to fill with people. It was almost more than Sprite could take. She was afraid she was making the whole tree shake as each hand passed her by and selected another angel from the tree. After awhile she began to notice not many other angels were left.

Oh the shame!!!” She cried. “The awful….terrible…gut wrenching… shame!!!” She moaned.

“Oh do be quiet!” Came a voice from above That startled Sprite. Ms. Angel Topper looked down and said with her most stern voice. “Do not be so dramatic!”

“But I can’t be the only Christmas tree angel that wasn’t picked! I just can’t!”

Ms. Angel Topper let out a sigh.

“Honey I’ve been up here for several years in a row now. I’ve seen a lot in this old mall.” She looked around with her wise old eyes. “There use to be a popcorn stand over there. They also served ice cream and oh how the children begged for that ice cream.”

Sprite looked away indignantly from Ms Angel Topper. “I don’t know what that’s got to do with me. I’m the one that is distraught. Facing this unimaginable devastation.”

Ms. Topper carried on without as much as a look toward Sprite. ” Then there is always the people that come from out of town. Yes that set up their tables everywhere. Makes it where you can’t hardly move around in this place” Ms.Toppers eyes softened as she remembered. ” but their was this one old couple that always set up their table close to us. He said he loved the smell of pine.”

“They sold the tiniest dolls you have ever seen. They looked like they would blink their eyes and let out a wail at any minute.”

“The woman hand made their delicate clothes… even down to their underclothes and socks! It was a sight to behold”

Sprite tried to tune the old angel out. She was too busy to listen to her ramblings. She tried her best to look as inviting as she could … even under her duress.

But Ms. Topper continued, ” you should have seen the eyes of little girls light up when they saw those babies. Sometimes the woman would let them hold the baby. But only for a minute, then the tears would flow as the mother continued walking past the table…dragging the child by the arm. On to the next table loaded down with real leather wallets.”

Sprite couldn’t take it any longer… “will you please be quiet! I am trying to concentrate. It is very important that I am not embarrassed and left alone with you on this tree.”

Ms Topper did stop her rambling. She looked around and noticed most all of the other paper angels were indeed gone. “Thank you Lord.” She said silently. She continued watching for the rest of the day as one by one the angels were selected. The wishes of children written down… in hopes of a generous soul to come along.

Sprite could hardly stand the humiliation. She would have crossed her arms and sat down in the corner with her lips poked out…. if only she could. But instead she had to hang there… feeling like the most useless thing on the earth.

As it neared time for the mall to close Ms Topper leaned down to see the solitary yellow angel hanging there. It was a truly sad sight as she heard the janitor turn the locks on the doors.

Her eyes were truly getting old and tired so it was hard to read the words on Sprite…The pleadings of a little heart full of hope.

Just then the old janitor, Mr Carl stopped in front of the tree. Yes Ms Topper knew his kind soul well. He could be found helping the older customers with their bags some days… or consoling a crying child other days. He whistled a pleasant tune most every day. Ms Topper had even seen him bow his head and petition God right in the middle of the mall. Mr Carl had been alone for about 10 years now since losing his wife. She had heard the store keepers whispering about Mr Carl having a terrible diagnosis himself. He lived alone in a modest but comfortable home not far from the mall. He and his wife had never had any children but you couldn’t tell by how he loved on the ones that had come through the mall over the years. Ms Topper wondered what would happen to his house when he went heaven to be with his wife.

Mr Carl reached down for the only angel left. Sprite. But just as he did the angel softly drifted down to the cold hard floor of the mall. Ms Topper saw the fear and dismay on Sprites face. But what caught her eye most of all were the words on Sprites dress. “A house for me and my mom. Or just a bigger coat.”

Allie 9 years old. No address given.

Mr Carl gingerly bent down, holding his back as he went. His eyes reflecting the pain he felt. He picked up the little angel and stared at the words for what seemed like forever to Sprite. She was so disappointed. The janitor?!!!Really?!!! Why couldn’t she have been taken home by the beautiful woman in the big gold earrings. Or the handsome gentleman with the striped tie?

She half expected to be placed back on the tree but just then, Mr Carl tucked Sprite into his shirt pocket. With huge tears rolling down his face and a big smile, he began sweeping the long hall. His thoughts drifting to seeing his sweet wife again soon.

Ms Topper let out a breath she didn’t know she was even holding in. Poor little Sprite. She had no idea that she was probably the most important angel that day. She would be fulfilling the biggest wish on the tree. A home.

Sometimes our purpose may not be clear… but God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. Enjoy the time you have … look for that purpose and know He is in control. You may even get to be the “biggest wish on the tree”.