Madonna and Guy Ritchie's adoption of 2-year-old David Banda has finally been approved by the Malawian government.

More than a year after the couple took Banda back to Britain -- amid claims they side-stepped the official adoption process -- clearance has been given for them to make the boy a proper part of their family.

A source tells In Touch Weekly, "Madonna hid it well, but there was a part of her that was worried that the adoption wouldn't go through.

"This is the best Christmas gift she's ever received."