The Legend of the Poinsettia

A girl named Lucida celebrates Christmas with her family.
Every year at Christmas (la Navidad),
a manger scene is put at the front of the town church.
This year, the blanket they use to wrap around the baby Jesus
has become old and worn. So the priest asks Lucida's mother
to weave a new one because her skills are so excellent.
She accepts, and with help from Lucida,
they then begin to weave a beautiful blanket.
But unfortunately, just before they finish,
on the day before Christmas Eve Lucida's mother gets ill.
Lucida can't finish the blanket alone,
but she tries anyway because her family would have nothing
to offer to baby Jesus. When her attempt fails,
Lucida's very upset and doesn't want to take part
in the procession going into the church.
She then meets an old woman who turns her thoughts around
and teaches her a very important lesson.

The book teaches that no matter what gift you give someone,
it just has to come from the heart.

by Tomie dePaola