Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Legend Of The Poinsettia



I wanted to share some pics this morning on steps for making crepe paper poinsettias that I used in budget decorating this year.... It was back to grade school time creating these... So simple but they turn out quite lovely.... I used thin wire to cluster together and tie and finished off with a set of rhinestone antique buttons... The ones on the mirror I just used some old beads from a vintage necklace and placed them on a thin wire.... When the poinsettia is clustered I oh so gently take my finger nail and run down the center to make a vein and it will make your poinsettia petal turn down and look very realistic... My decorating has been done so very much in .. no dollars spent this year..................................................................................................................

 In Mexico, it is a old custom to take a flower to church on Christmas Eve.... in honor of the Christ Child. According to legend, long ago in a small mountain village in Mexico, there lived a boy named Mario. Each year Mario watched the villagers walk to the church Christmas Eve carrying bundles of fresh flowers... Mario could not afford to buy fresh flowers, so he would look in the fields for wildflowers that might have survived the cold winter up on the mountains. One Christmas eve, as he was walking, searching for wildflowers, a voice called out to him, "Mario, pick up the weeds growing where you kneel and take them to the Christ Child." Mario answered " I cannot take these weeds to the Baby Jesus" The voice gently replied " The simplest gift, when given with love, will be the most beautiful to him." Mario listened to the voice and placed the green weeds around the manger, as other children teased him... But to every one's astonishment the weeds turned into a beautiful red flower with bright green leaves... Mario could not believe his eyes... it was the most beautiful flower he had ever seen... The other villagers who witnessed the miracle knelt before the manger... Mario understood what the angelic voice was trying to tell him.. He then knew the most important gift for the Christ Child was the gift of LOVE. The plant was brought from Mexico to America in 1836 by Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first American minister to Mexico... It was introduced to him by Mexicans who called it the "Flower of the holy night" The plant was cultivated in the 1890's by Albert Ecke in California. The city of Ventura, California is called the "Poinsettia City " today the poinsettia plant is still considered a Christmas symbol and brought into homes in early December... There beauty remains throughout the holiday season....
The poinsettia plant itself is very lovely and over the years has become available in many varieties and colors. I believe the meaning behind the plant is really important thought to carry with us during the holiday season... Again re-enforcing our need to not be caught up on all the holiday pressures and remember those gentle words.... " The Simplest gifts when given with love, will be the most beautiful to him"......
" Don't despair if you are short of cash. Be creative, looking back, you will discover that the Christmases when you had the least money were the ones that left you with the best memories"

6 comments:

Hearts Turned said...

What a beautiful legend, Marietta! I love all the sweet stories you share--thanks for all that you do!

Anonymous said...

I remember this story. We don't buy Poinsettias anymore because of the cats.
Your right about the Christmases with the least money are the ones remembered most fondly. The year our daughter was born (on the 17th) we didn't even care about presents. I still look back at that Christmas as one of our best.
Hugs))

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post.....
Season's Greetings!
Love,
Marilyn

SharDon Exclusives said...

Marietta, this year there is no money for presents so I have been making ornaments to give as love gifts. I have enjoyed "doing" Christmas this year and keep telling myself that they will just have to understand. I thank the Lord for His abundance toward me. I have met so many wonderful ladies, like you, and I feel blessed beyond my wildest imagination.
I have a roof over my head, food on my table, and health. I am abundantly blessed.
Sharon

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

What a beautiful post,Marietta.
Your Poinsettia are gorgeous.
Hugs,
Marie

Leigh Ann said...

Thanks for sharing he story behind the poinsettia....Happy a wonderful Thanksgiving...