Christmas Meditation ~ Poinsettia
Poinsettia
Poinsettias are the most common Christmas flowers in the U.S. They were brought to the U.S. by the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett, in 1825. When Christianity began to grow throughout Mexico, the legend arose of a little girl going to church on Christmas Eve who wanted to bring the baby Jesus a gift. She was poor and had nothing, so picked a handful of weeds to bring him, whereupon the Lord was so touched by her gift that he turned them into bright red flowers in her hands. In Mexico, Poinsettias are sometimes called "Christmas Star".
When I think about the little girl, or even the story of the little drummer boy, it reminds me of how Jesus often spoke of children and how important it is for us to have a child like spirit.
And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, "let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.
Mark 10:13-16
So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander. Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
1Peter 2:1,3
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.
John 1:12
The story also makes me think about how God uses each of us, no matter how large or small our gifts are.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 11:4-11
The Cardinal Pincushion is nearly complete!
I just need to finish the trim along the base! Little black beads were added for the cardinal's eyes. What a difference they make! I'm so happy with how this one is turning out!
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