The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEGEND OF THE FLOWER

THE MEXICAN CALL THE POINSETTIA THE FLOWER OF THE HOLY NIGHT.
BECAUSE ON CHRISTMAS EVE LONG AGO, A POOR LITTLE BOY WENT TO CHURCH NN IN GREAT SADNESS BECAUSE HE HAD NO GIFT TO BRING THE HOLY CHILD.
HE DARED NOT ENTER THE CHURCH. SO HE KNELT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
AND PRAYED TO GOD WITH TEARS, HE TOLD GOD HOW HE WANTED TO OFFER HIM
SOME TYPE OF GIFT. BUT BEING SO POOR HE COULDN'T AND HE DARED NOT
ENTER THE CHURCH WITH EMPTY ARMS. WHEN HE FINALLY ROSE FROM HIS
KNEES, HE NOTICED A FLOWER OF DAZZLING RED SPRINGING UP AT HIS FEET.

Where learned: DETROIT ; SAINT AMBROSE RECTORY

Date learned: 02-27-1979