Many of the decorations we use at this time of year, especially the greenery, reflect European traditions. But one colorful plant very prevalent and popular for this season is a native to the American continent, and has now found its way to Europe as well. I’m referring to the Poinsettia. It was named after Dr. Joel Robert Poinset, an ambassador to Mexico who first introduced it to the United States in 1828. The people of Mexico and Central America call the brilliant tropical plant the “Flower of the Holy Night.” The Poinsettia is a many-pointed star that has become for some a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem. Dr. Poinset admired the beauty of the bright red plant that grew rooftop high and bloomed profusely at Christmas. He discovered that Mexican Christians used these plants as part of their celebration of the birth and life of Christ.

In Mexico, the story goes like this: The Bethlehem star shone over the manger where Jesus was born. Its light was so bright that the earth responded, reflecting that star light, receiving that star light, mirroring that star light with a beautiful flower. Star shaped, radiant shaped, pure white petals, golden star centers. In Mexican lore, it was always the Flower of the Holy Night. It grew on earth as a creation to glorify and commemorate that Holy Night. Then came the tragic day when Jesus died on the cross and the blossoms changed. Now, instead of the pure white petals as a reflection of the star on that Holy Night, the star shaped petals would be blood red to remember the sacrifice of the Christ. So this plant, the poinsettia with its bright red leaves and tiny yellow gold flowers, is to be a reminder to us of both Christmas and Good Friday.

As you remember that connection during this Advent season of waiting and preparation, reflect on this hymn:

Let all mortal flesh keep silence And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded, For with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descending Comes our homage to demand.

King of kings yet born of Mary, As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture, In the body and the blood,
He will give to all the faithful His own self for heavn’ly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven, Spreads its vanguard on the way
As the Light of Light, descending From the realms of endless day,
Comes the pow’rs of hell to vanquish As the darkness clears away.

At his feet the six-winged seraph, Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence As with ceaseless voice they cry:
“Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
(Lutheran Service Book #621)