Flowers of the Holy Night

Blog Post #23

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Legend has it that the poinsettia became a Christmas tradition because of a Mexican girl in the 16th-century. She had no gift to give the Christ Child during the celebration of His birth. As she slowly walked towards the village church, her heart heavy with sadness, an angelic voice said: "Even the most humble gift — given with love — is acceptable to Him." The girl reverently fell to her knees to reflect on what she heard. Filled with inspiration, she proceeded towards the celebration, picking some leafy weeds along the way. As she got closer to the church, the sadness returned. With determination, she affirmed: "Even the most humble gift — given with love — is acceptable to Him." She approached the nativity which was surrounded by people from the village, bowed her head in loving adoration and placed the handful of weeds near baby Jesus. Instantly, they burst into a bouquet of beautiful crimson-red blossoms, imparting a Christmas blessing to all who witnessed the miracle and an endearing legacy on the power of love.

In Mexico, these flowering plants are called, “Flores de Noche Buena” or “Flowers of the Holy Night”. The plant’s common English name is credited to Joel Roberts Poinsett, who served as the first United States diplomat to Mexico. An avid botanist, Mr. Poinsett was intrigued by these “legendary weeds” whose leaves blossom just in time for Christmas. He cultivated the plants in his South Carolina home and by 1836, the popular flower was known as the poinsettia.

The Christmas pysanka pictured above began with the Six-Rose Design guidelines to ensure overall balance on the egg. The “rose symbols” were converted into poinsettias.

Flowers on pysanka signify devotion. The color red symbolizes love.

The color green symbolizes abundance. Lace represents meditation on God.

The pale yellow color signifies calmness: the state of mind where intuition thrives.

Its prayer is to know the divine love born long ago on Christmas morn.