The legend of the plant we now associate so strongly with Christmas arose years ago in Mexico, where it was traditional to leave gifts on an altar for Jesus on Christmas Eve. As the story goes, among a group of worshippers one night was a poor boy that had no present. Upset by his inability to provide a gift, the boy knelt outside the church window and prayed. In the spot, where he knelt there sprung a beautiful plant with vibrant red leaves. In Mexico this plant is called "the Flower of the Holy Night."
The first American ambassador to Mexico (1825-1829), Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, was impressed by the vibrant plant Mexicans called "the Flower of the Holy Night." He brought it to America, where it was subsequently renamed in his honor. Today, Encitas, California, is called the poinsettia capital of the world because of the large number of poinsettias found there.
No comments:
Post a Comment