Lucinda is unhappy because she has ruined the blanket that was intended for use in a Christmas procession. In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower ofthe Holy Night. At Christmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes, the quite exquisitered stars lighting up the countryside. A Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfishgift to the Christ Child. Tomie dePaola has embraced the legend using his own specialfeeling for Christmas. His glorious paintings capture not only the brilliant colors of Mexico and its art, but also the excitement of the children preparing for Christmas and the hope of Lucida, who comes to see what makes a gift truly beautiful. When Lucida is unable to finish her gift for the Baby Jesus in time for the Christmas procession, a miracle enables her to offer the beautiful flower we now call the poinsettia. A retelling of the traditional Mexican tale of how the poinsettia became the beautiful plant associated with Christmas.