Dan is overjoyed when a friend from Boston shows up at Plumfield, but Nat is none too thrilled.
When Nat discovers a poor black family camping within the Plumfield grounds, everyone learns that prejudice can take many forms.
While out looking for the perfect Christmas tree, Nick and the boys come upon a severely injured woman. Everyone pitches in to help her, but also struggle with their first Christmas without Mr. Bhaer and certain loved ones.
Laurie donates a library's-worth of books to Plumfield, which inspires Franz to assign a project on philanthropy and reveals Nick's illiteracy. In the meantime, Jo's beloved horse falls ill, and chances of recovery look grim.
