The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BURNING BUSH

THE PINSETA FLOWER, WHICH IS WELL KNOWN DURING CHRISTMAS TIME,
IS ORIGINALLY FROM MEXICO[ AND WAS CALLED THE BURNING BUSH. IT
WAS BROUGHT TO THE UNITED STATES BY SECRETARY OF STATE PINSET
IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY. THE LEGEND BEHIND THE
BURNING BUSH IS THAT A SMALL MEXICAN BOY WANTED TO BRING JESUS
SOMETHING, BUT HE WAS TOO POOR. ON HIS WAY TO CHRIST'S MANGER
HE SAW A BRIGHT RED FLOWER, AND HE TOOK IT AND GAVE IT TO JESUS.
THE FLOWER SUDDENLY BECAME SO BRIGHT THAT IT LIT UP THE ENTIRE
MANGER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT