CHRISTMAS JUST AIN'T CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE MARIGOLD

I don’t have to tell you, we are still currently experiencing a grim milestone in history, dealing with the trials and tribulations of the Covid-19 pandemic; over half of a million Americans are dead, and the virus is still raging with the new delta version. These are dark times and we’re headed straight into another covid Christmas Season.

Clearly, the 2020 holiday season was unlike any other in modern history. There is no doubt the Centers for Disease Control will strongly recommend people not travel during the Christmas Season again. The Public health experts will say that the safest, most prudent approach to the holidays this year is to stay home. Finally, spouting their favorite verbiage “To be all in this thing together” means we must stay apart.

The separation from one another has been hard on many of us; especially a people person like me. Last year, after months of pandemic fatigue, I wanted to do something that was out of the norm like to strike up an intriguing conversation with someone that was seeking outdoor companionship like myself.

I wanted to know how people are coping, by asking someone to tell me how they’re planning to navigate the holiday season. I wasn't seeking anything scientific about the venture, just a heartfelt and affirming response. I knew this was going to be an arduous adventure with many people taking the dangers of the pandemic seriously and making big sacrifices, at great personal cost, to keep themselves and their communities safe.

Considering the hardship, I was expecting someone to comment on methods to connect, celebrate and reflect such as Zoom dinners, small gatherings outdoors around fire pits, and on porches beneath heated lamps. However, the person I met has changed my thoughts about the Christmas season forever.

I drove around the city for what seemed like hours. Covid-19 had reduced the thriving hot spot of Irving, Texas to a ghost town; the people have tucked away in their dwellings heeding the Covid protocol. On the verge of giving up hope, I came across a man sitting alone in a park. I pulled into the parking lot, hoping the man wouldn’t decide to leave, feeling that I was fringing on his solitude or being afraid of me coming near him, due to the pandemic. I parked my car, exited and surprisingly the man stayed put. He continued his gaze of deep thought.

He was sitting on a park bench lightly clothed because the winter season had not arrived with the full brunt of its’ cold temperatures. There was a light breeze blowing a few leaves along the ground, providing a method of transportation to change their location in the park. I slowly approached the bench and sat down; not knowing what to expect. Remember, the world had changed dramatically with people meeting people, during the pandemic. However, I mustered the courage to speak to the guy.

“How are you doing today?”

He snapped out of his gaze and looked at me as if he had no idea that I had arrived in the park and sat down beside him. Whatever he was thinking about held his conscious hostage and shielded his awareness from the real world. I was shocked when he graciously extended his hand, so I extended mine, both of us totally ignoring Covid protocol, and we shook hands.

“My name is Chris Christensen.”

After saying his name, I took a good look at the man’s face. I will tell you without any hesitation, this guy looked like he just stepped out of the widely circulated portrait of Jesus Christ. Yes, he had long flowing hair, a narrow face, a full beard, and a mustache, His most striking feature was his blue eyes. Naturally, I responded by asking, “Do you know?” when he abruptly cut me off.

“I look like Jesus Christ.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I hear that a lot.”

“You should because you do.”

“Thank you.”

“Evidently at birth, your parents were also thinking the same.”

“Why?”

“Do you have to ask? They named you Chris and your last name is Christensen. You have to admit that is an extremely strange coincidence.”

“Believe it or not, I've never really given it much thought and I’m a person that thinks all the time.”

“I can tell. What were you thinking about before noticing I was sitting beside you?”

“Do you have the time to listen?”

“My time is your time.”

“Ok. Of all the flowers and herbs associated with the celebration of Christmas, the poinsettia is considered the quintessential Christmas flower. The poinsettia and the amaryllis are the only New World plants that have come to be a part of the Christmas holiday. Both flowers have unique stories for reasons to become a part of the Christmas story, but why not the marigold. The marigold also has a unique story and should share in the celebration.”

“Christmas flowers? I didn’t know Christmas flowers had stories.”

“They do. I will start with the poinsettia’s story, which is very interesting. Despite this celebrated plant’s prominence during the holiday season, its story remains largely unknown. The story of the poinsettia is one that spans hundreds of years and contains countless twists and turns as it maneuvered its way into our holiday season. Although it doesn’t predate Christianity like its Christmas counterparts, the holiday season wouldn’t be the same without the reds and greens of the poinsettia.”

“The poinsettias are as classic as Christmas movies.”

“I will now tell you why. The ancient Aztecs praised the poinsettia as a symbol of purity. Centuries later, Mexico's early Christians adopted the poinsettia as their prized Christmas Eve flower. The Mexican poinsettia, known as the Christmas Flower in North America, is used in most Christmas decorations. The reason, its bright red color and its blooming season coinciding with the Christmas holiday season. The reason we associate poinsettias with the holidays comes from an old Mexican legend. A young girl named Pepita was sad that she didn’t have a gift to leave for the baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. Her cousin tried to comfort her and said that Jesus would love any present from her, even the smallest one. With no money to buy a real gift, Pepita picked a bouquet of weeds that she walked past on the way to church. Other versions of the story say an angel came to her and instructed her to pick the plants. When she got there, she left the weeds at the bottom of the nativity scene. All of a sudden, the weeds transformed into beautiful red flowers. This is why Christmas colors are red and green. From that day, they became known as Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night.”

“How did the flowers get the name poinsettias?”

“Poinsettias got their American name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who brought them to the states from Mexico in the early 1800s. They didn’t become traditional holiday decorations until the entrepreneurial Ecke family started promoting them a century later. Paul Ecke Jr. sent free poinsettia plants to TV studios across the country, including The Tonight Show and Bob Hope’s holiday specials. Eventually, the trend caught on, and now poinsettias are among the most popular plants sold in the U.S. Congress even declared December 12 to be National Poinsettia Day, the anniversary of Poinsett’s death.”

“Wow. What a story.”

“Next, there is the amaryllis. Aside from red poinsettia flowers, the vibrant red amaryllis flowers make wonderful gifts during the holiday season, too.”

“I thought only the poinsettias were red.”

“No. There are other red flowers at Christmas. The amaryllis is popular at Christmas due to their colorful blooms pink, yellow, white, or purple that brighten up a winter landscape. Legend has it that the amaryllis began as a shy, timid nymph Amaryllis. In Greek mythology, this is the story of a love-struck maiden who longed for the handsome but cold-hearted Alteo. Desperate to win his love, she pierced her heart with a golden arrow and then visited his cottage daily, shedding drops of blood along the way. On the thirtieth day, beautiful scarlet flowers bloomed along the path. An enamored Alteo visited the Oracle, Amaryllis' heart was healed, and our favorite holiday bloom got its name. It's not surprising that today the amaryllis has come to symbolize pride, determination, and radiant beauty. However, there is also the legend of St. Joseph’s Staff, introduced in the 16th century, that states St. Joseph was chosen to become a husband to the Virgin Mary after his staff sprouted amaryllis flowers during the selection process conducted by a high priest. The name, amaryllis, is derived from the Greek word amarysso, which means to sparkle, and reclassified in the 1800s under its botanical name, Hippeastrum, Greek for knight star. In Victorian times, Amaryllis came to symbolize strength and determination, due to its tall height and sturdiness. Over the last several years, Amaryllis has become an increasingly popular Christmas plant, due to their willingness to bloom indoors in winter and their bright, colorful flowers.

“Wow. Another great story.”

“Finally, the reason I was in such deep thought. I was thinking of the marigold.”

“The marigold isn’t associated with Christmas.”

“There lies the problem. The earliest use of marigolds was by the Aztec people who attributed magical, religious, and medicinal properties to marigolds. The first recorded use of marigolds is in the De La Crus-Badiano Aztec Herbal of 1552. The Herbal records showed the marigolds were used for the treatment of hiccups, being struck by lightning, or for one who wishes to cross a river or water safely. The last use confirms the magical properties ascribed to marigolds. It’s told that in the 1500s, native marigold seeds were taken from the Aztecs by early Spanish explorers to Spain. The marigolds were cultivated in Spain and grown in monastery gardens. The Spaniards traded the seeds throughout Europe, that included France and northern Africa. The flowers became popular in the churches in Spain and were frequently referred to as "Mary's Gold" in reference to the Virgin Mary. The name evolved to marigold. The marigold was regarded as the flower of the dead in pre-Hispanic Mexico, parallel to the lily in Europe, and is still widely used in the Day of the Dead celebrations.”

“Like the poinsettias, the marigold has a connection to the Aztecs and Mexico.”

“Great observation by you. Despite varietal distinctions of African and French marigolds, marigolds were originally cultivated in Mexico more than 2,000 years ago.”

“Are there any other cultures associated with the marigolds?”

“The marigolds are also very significant in Nepalese culture, where marigold garlands are used almost in every household, especially during the Tihar festival. It is always sold in the markets for daily worships and rituals.”

“What have you concluded about the marigolds and Christmas.”

“The marigolds have many connections to the poinsettias and the amaryllis. First of all, the variety of colors orange, pink, lavender, red, purple, white, yellow, and even salmon. It grows well in the winter. All three have a strong relationship with the Virgin Mary with Mary in two of the names and laid at the bottom of the nativity scene of the other. It’s used in religious ceremonies, and please don’t forget the Aztec and Mexican roots. I think the marigold is not getting its’ due and should be a featured Christmas flower like the poinsettia and the amaryllis.”

“You’ve made a compelling point.”

“To me, Christmas just ain’t Christmas without the marigold.”

“What can be done?”

“That’s what I’ve been pondering when you arrived.”

“I don’t know if it will ever become a Christmas flower. Like you from this day forward, Christmas just ain’t Christmas without the marigold and who knows better how to celebrate the Christmas Holiday than Jesus Christ?”

When I drove away, he had me thinking he was indeed Jesus, discussing flowers associated with the Virgin Mary and Christmas.