Lyn Blackledge

The Miracle of the First Poinsettia

What a beautiful, poignant story !

This is the story of a young girl, Juanita who lived high in the mountaind of Mexico. It takes place on Christmas eve. Juanita's father as lost his job and money is very short. Most children were happy but Juanita was very sad. In the market, Senor Rojo took pity on her and gave her some galletas (small biscuits) to give to her brothers. Else where in the market she was moved on by Senora Martinez who thought she was a beggar. Juanita was sad. She returned home to find all her friends were going to church but she felt she could not go. She had no present for baby Jesus! Her mother told her she didn't need one - her presence was enough but still she was sad and hung around outside the church when everyone else went in. Juanita heard a voice telling her to pick the leaves. All she could see was a statue of an angel but she did as the voice told her. She was still sad as she made her way into church, thinking everyoe would laugh at her but as she arrived at the front of the church, everyone was smiling. Only then did Juanita look down and see the "weeds" had transformed into beautiful scarlet, star shaped leaves - the best she had ever seen. She palced them in front of Baby Jesus and knew that a gift from the heart was the best gift of all, just as her mother had told her. Joanne Oppenheim found this story and researched it and this is her version.She writes "perhaps the reason this story lives on is because it is a miracle story that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and the season of miracles. The illustrations by Fabian Negrin are delightful.