Over the centuries many flowering plants, shrubs and trees have become associated with Christmas. Some go back many millennia – well before the birth of Christ – but have been adopted by the Christian religion. L’Osservatore Romano, official newspaper of the Vatican states in its English Language edition – Jan. 5, 2005: ‘The real date of Jesus’ birth, lies concealed beneath a veil of uncertainty. The scholar Abbot Giuseppe Ricciotti, concludes: “We know neither the day nor the year of Jesus’ birth with absolute certainty”.
The brilliant, scarlet Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherimma – a member of the spurge family) is now a traditional Christmas flower, especially in the Americas. First discovered in Mexico, it is widespread in Central America. The legend which has grown up around it is as follows:
Once there were two very poor village children who could afford no gift to place in front of the nativity scene in their local church as custom required. Arriving there early on Christmas Eve, they gathered some weeds to make a soft bed for the baby Jesus. As they were doing this, others coming began to cruelly tease and mock them. Miraculously, the weeds burst into beautiful bright star-like red petals, showing that a gift of love is more precious to Christ than the most expensive presents.
The humble herbs, rosemary and sage have their place in Christmas legend:-
Rosemary - There are two legends. When Mary washed out Jesus’ clothes, she hung them to dry on a small flowerless bush that had antiseptic properties. Afterwards, it grew small blue flowers. The other involves rosemary, sugarcane and date palm. The plants argued as to which provided the holy family with the greatest benefit. Palm sheltered them in the daytime heat and gave them fruit. Sugarcane provided sweetness. The rosemary bush was silent, having nothing special to offer the family.
Mary needed to dry the swaddling clothes and asked the palm to bend its head so she could hang them on its fronds. It couldn’t bend low enough for her to reach them. Sugarcane offered its branches but the clothes fell to the ground. Mary hung the clothes on the rosemary’s branches. She blessed the plant, giving it flowers the color of her robe.
Sage: When Mary, Jesus and Joseph fled to Egypt because Herod threatened to kill the babe, they ran out of water. Joseph went to the nearest village to get some. Mary heard soldiers’ shouts and the sound of hoof beats approaching. There was no place to hide. Mary saw a rose bush and asked for shelter. It refused, which is why rose bushes have thorns. The clove bush also refused help and resulted in having unpleasant smelling flowers. The sage plant hid them, blossoming to create safe haven. The soldiers passed by. Since then, the plant is considered sacred and believed to possess curative and protective powers, and in its many forms has spread all over the world.
The Christmas Rose : Cold and dark was Holy Night, when the Christ was born. Many came to worship him bearing gifts to lay before the new-born babe. The three Great Kings of Orient brought expensive gifts – Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. A poor shepherdess from the fields had nothing to give though she had searched in vain for a few flowers to bring. An angel was watching over her and knew about her plight. He brushed aside the snow at her feet. A beautiful cluster of white winter roses with pink tipped petals appeared. The angel softly whispered they were Christmas roses, more valuable than any other gift, because they are pure and made of love.
The ChristmasTree
TREE OF LIFE, LOVE, PEACE
‘L’Osservatore Romano) – op cit: Many legends and traditions date back to very ancient times, but documentation of the tree we know today only appeared in recent centuries. Primitive people would take evergreen plants and flowers into their huts, seeing in them magical, medicinal or religious significance. Many were thought to ward off illness. (Given what we know today of the Pinus family’s antiseptic/insect repellent qualities such beliefs were well-founded – G.D.)
The Christmas tree as we know it today, decorated and lit, is first recorded as appearing on the left bank of the Rhine - especially Alsace. In Strasbourg, capital of Alsace, fir trees were sold in the market, to be taken home and decorated. The tradition spread across Germany and the whole of Europe, and soon arrived in North America.
The tree in St Peter’s Square: Pope Paul VI, began the tradition of setting up this massive Christmas tree beside the grand crib, a gift each year from a different nation. Today, it is a symbol of the peace that Jesus brought; because it is evergreen, it is a symbol of immortality; the tree lit by little lights is the symbol of the light that Jesus brought to the world with his birth: Finally, the fir tree, with its tip pointing to heaven, the place where we are all awaited.
Next issue : New Year’s Eve legends
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