This is a beautiful book, with rich illustrations that serve well to set the scene and the tone of a story with a very timeless feel to it, with a classic Christmas message.  A young boy sets off with meager provisions to make a long trek to the village square for the traditional lighting of the Christmas torch, an honor that will be granted to whoever gives the truest gift of Christmas.  Along the way he meets an old man huddling in the snow.  He leaves his cloak and cider to warm the old man while he seeks help from someone strong enough to lift him, but when he gets to the village they are already closing the city gates, and no one is willing to leave, as the ceremony is about to begin.  After all the Christmas offerings are made the Keeper of the Light takes down his hood and invites the young boy forward to light the torch, as he is none other than the old man the boy helped in the woods.