The Miracle of the Poinsettia

DAILY READING

Matthew 18:1-5

FIELD NOTES

I have always loved poinsettia flowers, but I never knew why they were associated with Christmas and the season of Advent. Some decorate with poinsettias out of tradition or because the shape of the flower is thought to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, but an old Mexican legend might point to a deeper meaning. A story printed in Aleteia describes this legend: 

Once, there was a poor Mexican girl named Pepita who had no present to give the Baby Jesus at Christmas Eve Mass. As Pepita walked, sadly, to the chapel, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up. “Pepita,” he said. “I’m sure that even the smallest gift, given by someone who loves him, will make Jesus happy.” Still not knowing what she could give, Pepita picked a small handful of weeds from the roadside and made them into a bouquet. Having only this small present to give Jesus made Pepita embarrassed. As she walked through the chapel to the altar, she remembered what Pedro had told her. Feeling a bit better, she knelt down and laid the bouquet at the bottom of the nativity scene. Amazingly, the bouquet of weeds burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw them were sure they had seen a miracle. From that Christmas Eve forward, the bright red poinsettia flowers were known as the “Flores de Noche Buena,” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.”

This story shows us that even the smallest gifts will be made holy if they are given in love. We only need the faith to bring our gifts to God.

Fenelon, M. (2014). The Miracle of the Poinsettia. Aleteia.  

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• What gifts can you bring to God? Do you find yourself questioning whether or not they are good enough or if you are ready to serve God? How can you demonstrate a child-like faith, believing that even imperfect gifts are made holy if given in love?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• What gifts can you bring to God? Do you find yourself questioning whether or not they are good enough? Remember that God loves all of our gifts, they don’t need to be perfect. 

PRAYER GUIDE

Holy God, help me to approach this season of Advent with a child-like faith. Help me believe that I am ready to serve You, that my gifts don’t need to be perfect, that I only need to give them in love! Amen.