The History Behind The Most Beautiful Living Christmas Decoration
by 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 originate 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 to us as a worldwide tradition.
Pedro tried to give console to his cousin and told her as long as she loved Jesus, he was sure that out of love a gift from the heart would do. It did not erase Pepita’s sadness but not knowing what else she to do she picked a bunch of wildflowers and tried to make a pretty bouquet. She tied it together as best as she could but when she had finished it she felt even more saddened by the horrible looking gift she had for her king.
Both of the children’s hearts were heavy as they entered the church and Pepita fought back the tears in her eyes, she fought with all her might not to cry. Just as the children were about to give their gift the other children of the village began to arrive and Pepita dropped her bouquet at the alter in fear they would see her but it was too late and the children saw the shabby gift of weeds and began to make fun of the small children, ridiculing them for the gift.
Pepita and Pedro were filled with helplessness and their heads were bent towards the ground in shame when suddenly the bouquet of wild flowers that lay at their feet miraculously began blooming. Brilliant red blooms lay at the alter stunning all who saw them for they knew they had just witnessed a miracle.
It was only then they all realized they were the ones who should feel ashamed. The children’s gift, a gift from the heart given in love was far more important the the most expensive gift they could ever buy. The beautiful red flowers were known as the Flores De Noche Beuna, Flowers Of The Holy Night. Today the name for this plant is called the Poinsettia!
How The Poinsettia Was Introduced Into A Worldwide Tradition
Image via Wikipedia
In 1825 a man named Joel Poinsett, a very well educated man who was fluent in many different languages as well as law, medicine and military was appointed as Ambassador to Mexico by president Madison. While he was Ambassador to Mexico he visited an area of southern Mexico and discovered a plant known as the Flores De Noche Beuna. Joel was an avid amateur botanist and took samples of this plant and sent them home to the United States. Because of his efforts the plant became widely distributed and by 1836 the plants name came to be known as the Poinsettia. Joel Poinsett not only introduced us to this brightly colored plant but also introduced it as the traditional holiday symbol. On December 12, 1851 the act of congress declared that December 12 was to be the National Poinsettia day in honor of the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett.
Part 1: How to Grow Inexpensive Christmas Gifts and Decorations
More Articles By Mystify
Perfect Christmas Gifts for Gardeners
What You Don’t Know About Cinnamon
England’s Ancient Healing Wells
Give Your Perfect Pet The Christmas They Deserve
Copyright © 2009 Tanya Kime-Wallace
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Post CommentDarla Cooke
On November 23, 2009 at 11:13 am
I love poinsettias, but I’m afraid to keep one in my house since we have a little dog inside.
Francois Hagnere
On November 23, 2009 at 11:41 am
Another really very well researched article and quite informative. I love Poinsettia and I’d never seen a Xmas tree like the one you present here. It’s so beautiful! Thank you Tanya and bravo!
Prometheus Ridley Scott
On November 23, 2009 at 11:57 am
Yet another great and informative article from you. Thanks very much.
ken bultman
On November 23, 2009 at 12:22 pm
A beautiful tale nicely told by a wonderful story teller and a knowledgeable botanist in her own right. Thanks for an enlightening story and great pic.
CA Johnson
On November 23, 2009 at 4:07 pm
This is really good, mystify. I loved looking at the pictures. I didn’t know this much about poinsettias. Thanks for sharing.
Ruby Hawk
On November 23, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Poinsettias are so pretty. I had one untill several years ago that I planted outside every spring and brought in every fall, kept it in a dark closet untill almost time for Xmas. It bloomed for years.
Teves
On November 23, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Beautiful work…
AlmaG
On November 24, 2009 at 4:39 am
I can feel Christmas already and I’m soooo excited. I also enjoy reading everything about this coming holiday. I enjoyed this one sooo much!!!
giftarist
On November 24, 2009 at 8:03 am
Great post, you have done this well, I have to check out this series.
Hansika
On November 24, 2009 at 8:44 am
thanks for the share…….
lillyrose
On November 24, 2009 at 9:37 am
beautiful article, I love those Christmas plants and a tree made of them would be beautiful. Thanks for the history lesson. x
Starpisces
On November 24, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I really cannot take it anymore, so beautiful! Hahaha…wish I can plant them, but anyway just looking at the pictures already wonderful, really beautiful, so envy! (or jealous? haha)
vasco
On November 24, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I love it,
beautiful,
thank you,
Themax
On November 24, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I am so excited and Thank you for you beautiful share Tanya,Thanks
clay hurtubise
On November 24, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Nice piece. Love the tree pic!
Thanks,
Clay
PhoenixRox
On November 25, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I had no idea about the history of Poinsettia. This was absolutely fantastic to read. Everything has a history and so often, we don’t really bother to think about it. Thanks Tan, I learnt today!
magicdarts
On November 26, 2009 at 6:03 pm
very interesting – don’t believe I’d heard of Poinsettia before but I certainly know a lot more now – really like the legend piece!
XXElleXX
On December 3, 2009 at 9:01 am
Here’s another version of ‘The Legend of the Poinsettia’ ~ A girl named Maria and her little brother Pablo were very poor but always looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger scene was set up in the village church, and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. The two children loved Christmas but were always saddened because they had no money to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing.
One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene. Of course other children teased them when they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and miraculously, the green top leaves turned into bright red petals, and soon the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers and so we see them today.
Hope you are feeling better Mystify
alvinwriter
On May 11, 2011 at 12:40 am
Now I know how the Poinsettia came to be!