The beautiful star shaped flowers of Poinsettias are found everywhere as the holiday season nears. But have you ever wondered why this particular flower is associated with Christmas? The answers may surprise you.
Dr. Joel Poinsett first brought the Christmas Flowers to America in 1828, from Mexico over one hundred years ago. Dr. Poinsett was the first US ambassador to Mexico who happened to enjoy dabbling in botany. After discovering the beautiful Christmas Flower in the wilderness in Mexico he sent clippings back to his home in South Carolina.
Though the flower wasn’t immediately embraced as a holiday season mainstay, by the 20th century it was seen as a core element of the traditional Christmas trimmings. As far as Christmas and the symbolism this flower represents; it has been compared to the star of Bethlehem, as its radiance and beauty are such that it could lead one to a special location.
There is a Mexican legend about a little girl that wanted to offer a gift to Jesus on Christmas Eve but all she had to give was weeds. The story goes that as the little girl brought the weeds into a church they suddenly blossomed into the beautiful red flowers that we admire. These flowers are known as ‘Flowers of the Holy Night’.
As you can see, the flower has a much deeper meaning than simply the fact that it is pretty and has the colors associated with Christmas. Upon deeper exploration it represents a love for Jesus Christ and a celebration of innocence and purity.
The truth is that most holiday traditions have foundations that are based on religious beliefs and that represent deep devotions. Our decorations are therefore not only beautiful to look at, but they are also inspirational and can provide an insight about the person that chose them.
The magic of Christmas does not stop with the festivities. When we plan events, gift giving is always a part of our celebrations and that aspect of Christmas has religious beginnings as well. This is true whether we are purchasing a simple toy for a child or a gourmet gift basket for an executive in the office. Christmas seems to bring out the joyous spirit in us all.
Whether you prefer to decorate in a modern, stylish manner, even perhaps with a whimsical touch, or you prefer to focus on representations of your deep religious beliefs, a simple but beautiful flower will certainly fit in. The brightly colored flowers can be the focus of the decorations or simply the added something that brings it all together.
