Known as the Christmas flower, a Poinsettia's leaves display the beautiful red color of December. This is the time of year when we, as Christians, reflect and remember the beautiful birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who came born of a virgin to live as a man (fully God and fully man) to fulfill the prophecies and redeem mankind. Here are two lessons regarding Poinsettia's and our Savior's birth.
1. Star-Shaped
The star-shaped leaves represent the star of Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born. The star guided the Wise Men to where Jesus was and they were able to worship Him, bringing Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. - Luke 1:26-38
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” - Matthew 2:1-2
and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. - Matthew 2:9-11
2. Red & Green
Red symbolizes the pure, precious blood of Jesus Christ who at about 33 years old sacrificed Himself to cover mankind with His holy blood and cleanse us from our sins. Green symbolizes the newness we receive when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are born again. One day, when He returns, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. We hope and anticipate this glorious moment when all sin, sorrow, strife, and sadness will end and everything we be made new.
Merry CHRISTmas!