The Legend of the Poinsettia

     Poinsettias are known as the Christmas flower. The red flowers, which are really leaves, are in the shape of a star, such as the one that shimmered over Bethlehem when Jesus was born. The red color symbolizes the blood of Christ that was shed for the salvation of the world.

     There are several legends concerning the poinsettia.  One was that a small boy, wanting to have his very own gift to lay before the Creche at his church,  knelt to pray outside.  When he arose he discovered that the ground was covered with beautiful plants with scarlet leaves and yellow flowers.  He then picked the flowers and laid them at the Creche as his gift to the Christ-child.  Another legend is about a girl named Pepeta, whose mother was asked to weave a new blanket to cover the Baby Jesus in the manger for the Christmas Eve service.  Because the mother became ill, she was not able to complete the blanket.  Pepeta tried to weave, but could not do it alone.  The best she could do was pick an armful of green weeds to lay over the Baby Jesus.  As Pepeta prayed the green weeds were transformed into flaming red stars with green branches.  Today they are referred to as “La Flor De Noche Buena,” the flowers of the Holy Night.

     However, there was a time when there were no poinsettias in the United States. They were discovered growing wild in Mexico sometime between 1825 and 1830 by Dr. Joel Roberts Pointsett, the first ambassador to Mexico. Poinsett, a skilled botanist, was captivated by the beauty of the wild plant and called it “painted leaves.” He grew the plants in his greenhouse in Greenville, South Carolina and shared cuttings with his friend and neighbor Wilson Barton, great-great grandfather of Suzanne Barton Fisk. It was Wilson that gave the plants the name poinsettia after Dr. Poinsett. Wilson named his eldest son Joel Roberts Poinsett Barton in honor of his friend and neighbor. Joel Roberts Poinsett Barton, great grandfather to Suzanne, then named one of his sons the same. This son was Suzanne’s grandfather. Her father, who is now 92 years old, was named Joel R. Poinsett Barton. Suzanne’s brother is Joel R. Barton, the Poinsett being left off in this generation. Joel named one of his sons Robert Joel Barton.

     While the poinsettia is a beautiful Christmas flower to most people, for our family it is a symbol of love and unity and a reminder of our strong heritage.  Nothing seems to say “Merry Christmas” better than a beautiful red and green poinsettia.