Why are holly and ivy so popular at Christmas?
Holly, with its pointy leaves, represents the crown of thorns worn by Christ. Or, in another translation, its flame-shaped leaves represent Mary’s scorching Love for God. Its red berries represent Christ’s blood. In medieval times, the leaves and berries supposedly delivered protection against the devil and witchcraft. In Christmas songs from the period, holly is often referred to as a man’s plant, while ivy represents woman. By garlanding their homes with berry-laden, shining green-leaved sprigs of holly and ivy, Europeans drew closer to the power and the hope that these plants represented, says Barbara Segall, Author Of The Holly & The Ivy (Clarkson Potter). Q: What’s the deal with poinsettias? A: They’re big and they’re red and green, and, apparently, that’s good enough for us. Mexican legend says one popped up out of nowhere as a poor boy knelt and prayed in the snow outside a church creche. Flower Of The Holy Night, as it was known in Mexico, was renamed in America for Dr. Joel Ro
