Santa helps out with a soldier's Christmas surprise

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WHDH) -- Kids usually ask Santa for toys, but one South Carolina boy asked for a whole lot more and Santa delivered.

"That's an awful big gift for Santa Claus to think about giving you. Hey, you want to do me a favor? Look right there,” Santa said to the young boy sitting on his lap.

The boy turned and an American soldier walked out from behind the tree with a big smile on his face.

“Who’s that?” asked Santa.

“Daddy!” said the boy, before scrambling down from Santa’s lap and into his father’s arms.

That little boy's father was deployed more than a year ago.

He wasn't due back until January.

Thanks to a little Christmas magic, the family was able to spend the holidays together.