The History Behind The Most Beautiful Living Christmas Decoration

The poinsettia is one of the most well known, worldwide Christmas traditions there is and today it represents over 85 percent of all plants sales during Christmas, generating over 220 million dollars in the floral industry. It adds live splashes of festive color to just about anywhere and looks stunning in virtually every decor. It can be used as a wonderful decoration alone or in groups and it also makes for a superb Christmas gift as it is so versatile.

But beyond the above information there is more to the Poinsettia then we really know. The tradition for example had to come from somewhere. This is the second article out of my Poinsettia series. In the first I gave a description of the Poinsettia as well as where they originated from and all the growing information needed in order to grow them. In this article I will be covering the legend behind the Poinsettia as well as how it was introduced as a worldwide tradition.

The Legend Of The Poinsettia

Long ago in Mexico there were 2 small children who were cousins by relation named Pepita and Pedro. The small children were very poor, so poor they barely had enough to eat each day. As Christmas approached and the festivities began,the village was buzzing with holiday joy, the small village church had even set up a large manger to celebrate the coming of the Christ child.

The manger was the talk of the town amongst all the kids and even Pepita and Pedro found themselves looking forward to visiting the baby Jesus at the manger. Over the coming days all the kids began discussing what gifts they were going to leave for the baby Jesus and Pepita and Pedro also began talking about what they could leave. Though they did not have money they wanted to leave something until the other kids began talking of buying him beautiful gifts he would love. The two cousins wanted very much to leave Jesus something he would love as well but agonized over the fact they could not buy the holy child anything because they had no money nor did they actually own anything beautiful they could give to him.

When Christmas Eve finally arrived, the two children, despite the fact they had nothing, adored Jesus and wanted to see him and set out earlier then all the others for their chance to see him without being shamed, although, instead of walking to the church in joy , their hearts were filled with sadness as they had nothing to offer.