CFWD is in Cancun on a very atypical pre-Christmas week of R and R. There is something to be said for avoiding the cold and the holiday shopping frenzy! The bottom photo shows John, Josh, and Elliott in relaxed mode while waiting to check in to our hotel room. In the meantime I was wanderin around the hotel contemplating the holiday decor south of the border. In Mexico, "Noche Buena" means Christmas eve. It is also the name of the plant we know as the poinsettia, which is native to Mexico. The American name comes from Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first US Minister to Mexico. he introduced the plant to the United States in 1825. The Aztecs used the plant to produce a red dye and a medicine that treated fever. The association between poinsettias and Christmas dates back to 16th century Mexico, when supposedly a poor child was told by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside to lay at a statue of Jesus. From these weeds crimson "blossoms" sprouted. The red color was supposed to signifiy Jesus's blood and his sacrifice, while the star shaped pattern of the leaves is associated with the star of Bethlehelm. Now you know!
No comments:
Post a Comment