O Beautiful Star

                  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. ~Matthew 2:12

Poinsettias are a common Christmas flower, but I often wondered why. The "flowers" are actually bracts. The small yellow centers are actually the flowers. Most poinsettias are red, but some are white or pink. So why use this flower from Mexico as a Christmas flower? 

Every culture has its legends to make a point and help the people remember the stories they represent. And so it is with the poisettia. In Mexico, the people tell the story of a little girl who wanted to bring something to the Christ child. The child was poor and had no money to purchase a gift, so she picked a bouquet of weeds. When she laid them before the Christ child, they turned into beautiful red flowers. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as "Flores de Noche Buena" or "Flowers of the Holy Night". 

The shape of the poinsettia reminded the people of the shape of the Star of Bethlehem that led the wisemen to the house where the young child was. The red of the poinsettia represents the blood that Jesus shed for our sins, and the white represents his purity. I think the yellow flowers in the middle could represent a crown for the King of Kings. 

Matthew tells us that the wisemen went home a different way. So should we leave in a different way when we encounter Jesus as our Savior. May you know Jesus as Savior this Christmas season. 

Father God, help us demonstrate changed lives because we have encountered Jesus. The wisemen never forgot that special meeting and so may we never forget the time and place we came to Jesus repenting of our sins, seeking salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen.