Roses and poinsettias are among the most popular flowers in folklore to symbolize miracles at the birth of Jesus Christ in the manager. They are used as gifts or decorations around the home during the holiday season.
The Christmas Rose
The rose is deeply associated with the faith, love and devotion to Christ. It is English and is believed to have bloomed in the snow-covered mountains of Central Europe in winter, often during the Christmas season. It is known as the true Christmas blossom. This rose has white-colored flowers with pink tipped petals and is also called the Snow Rose or Winter Rose. It often blooms when other greenery is buried in snow.
Among the stories in folklore is that of a poor child, a shepherdess name Madelon who saw the Three Wise Men on their way to greet the Christ Child. She saw the expensive gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense being carried by them. They were followed by the shepherds who had been informed by the angel of the coming of their Savior. Although their gifts were not as rich, being fruits, honey and a dove, it symbolized their love for the baby in the manger.
The poor shepherdess had nothing to offer the Lord of the Lords and the King of Kings. She could not even find a single bloom in the snow-covered fields and began to cry. An angel saw her and translated the child's love into a Christmas rose which had been buried in the snow. The Christmas Rose became the symbol of deep Christian faith and devotion.
The Christmas Poinsettia
The bright, red star-shaped Poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Night" or "Flame Leaf" in the United States. It was brought to America by Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico over a hundred years ago. Much of the folklore associated with it comes from Mexico for that reason. It symbolizes the deep love of Christ and great devotion of a pure innocent human being to the baby Jesus.
Among the folklore stories is one about two poor children in Mexico, Maria and Pablo, who were looking forward to the Christmas festival in their village. The celebration would include the annual Nativity play in which a large manager scene was set up, parades and parties that were centered around the church. All the people, especially children, presented gifts to the baby child on Christmas eve. Maria and Pablo did not have money to buy even the simplest offering. Sad in heart and disheartened, on Christmas eve they made their way toward the church, taking a longer way hoping to find something to bring with them. Finally, they picked some wild weeds as the only gift available to them. As they placed their offering carefully around the manager, a miracle took place. Bright, red star-shaped flowers burst forth from the weeds and were the brightest of all the gifts that the Christ child received that day.
Every country has its own folklore stories associated with Christmas, many of them associated with miracles that are related to the birth of the Christ child. The rose and the poinsettia, as presented in these two tales, are symbols of the true spirit of Christmas, gifts from the heart.
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