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'Flower of the Holy Night'

© Meg Greene Malvasi

In Mexico, they are called by many names: "flor de fuego" (fire flower), "flor de Navidad" (Christmas Flower), and "flor de la Nochebuena" (Flower of the Holy Night). Over the years, these lovely plants have become as much a symbol of Christmas as the Christmas tree and mistletoe. Their beautiful and expansive red, white, or pink flowers appear everywhere during the holiday season. In the United States, they are known as poinsettias. The story of how the poinsettia came to represent the spirit of Christmas is one of the most celebrated and popular folk tales in Mexico. Once upon a time there was a little girl named Lucinda who lived with her family in the village of Cuernavaca. Lucinda's papa was a farmer. Lucinda often helped her mama to cook meals and clean the house, and also to take care of her younger brother Paco and her younger sister Lupe. One day, a short time before Christmas, the village priest came to speak to Lucinda's mother, who was a talented weaver. The priest asked if she could make a new blanket to cover the figure of the Christ Child in the Christmas procession. The old one, he explained, was worn out. "Father," answer Lucinda's mother, "I would be honored to weave a new blanket for the Christmas procession, and Lucinda will help me." Soon Lucinda and her mother set to work, using the finest yarn they could buy. In the meantime, everyone in the village was busy making their own gifts to present to Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. Lucinda went to church with the other children to practice the songs they would sing during the procession. "Our gift will be the blanket for the Baby Jesus," she told her friends. "I am helping my mother to make it." Just a few days before Christmas, while Lucinda was at singing practice, Senora Gomez, a woman from the village, came hurrying into the church. "Lucinda," she said, nearly out of breath, "Lucinda, you must go home right away. Your mama is sick and your papa has taken her to see the doctor. You must look after Paco and Lupe until your father returns." When Lucinda got home, Paco and Lupe were crying. They were frightened, and so was she. When Lucinda's father arrived at home he looked tired and worried. He told Lucinda that her mother was very sick and could not come home, and that he would have to return in the morning to stay with her until she is well again. Senora Gomez would take care of her and her brother and sister until while he was away.

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