The plants of Christmas and what they might mean
Family sermon for Christmas morning by the Reverend Charles Royden
There are very many traditions at Christmas which are
not really Christian but which have been given Christians meaning. We
have a choice at Christmas we can choose to reject everything which
isn’t in the Bible — this was a method unsuccessfully adopted by Thomas
Cromwell. Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of
Christmas carols and decorated trees.
Or we can try and make sense of some of the symbols around at this time
and try and see them from a Christian perspective.
I want to remind us of some of the important Christmas plants which are
around in our homes and suggest some things which we might learn from
them.
It has been common throughout time for people in Europe to take
evergreen plants into their homes at this dark time. The evergreens
represented fertility and life at the darkest time of the year the
winter solstice. So decorating our homes at midwinter originates from
pagan times when, throughout northern Europe, branches were cut and
displayed as a symbol that the sun would return.
The Christmas Tree
This is perhaps one of the most important icons of Christmas. Although
commonly believed to be Prince Albert, it was in fact Queen Charlotte,
in the 18th Century, who brought the first ever Christmas tree to
Britain from Germany, introducing the custom of decorated indoor trees
to this country. The custom did not at first spread much beyond the
royal family. Queen Victoria as a child was familiar with the custom. In
her journal for Christmas Eve 1832, the delighted 13-year-old princess
wrote, "After dinner...we then went into the drawing-room near the
dining-room...There were two large round tables on which were placed two
trees hung with lights and sugar ornaments. All the presents being
placed round the trees...".
It was after her marriage to her German cousin, Prince Albert, the
custom became more widespread. In 1841 when Queen Victoria and Prince
Albert erected a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle
Mistletoe
This is perhaps important because it bears fruit at the
time of the Winter Solstice. You all know the tales, any male and female
meeting under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss. Druids used
the plant as an aphrodisiac and in Scandinavian tales it symbolises
peace and love. Apparently if enemies met under mistletoe they would
have a time of peace.
Mistletoe grows on lots of trees, you can see it all around Bedford,
even on the trees by Tesco's. Mistletoe depends on birds to disperse its
seeds. Its white fruits contain a sticky pulp that clings to a bird's
bill. As the bird wipes the pulp off against a branch, it spreads the
mistletoe's seeds. Sometimes when you look at Misteltoe it will appear
golden and it has been called the ‘Golden Bough.’
It is a good plant for Christmas if it reminds us all of
peace, Jesus is after all the Prince of Peace.
Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima, commonly named poinsettia. Pulcherima means
'most beautiful' it is a species of flowering plant native to
Mexico. Mexicans call it the flower of the Holy Night, it is also
known as 'Christmas Star.' The plants' association with Christmas
began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was
too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The
tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from
the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson
"blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias.
From the 17th century, Franciscan monks in Mexico included the plants in
their Christmas celebrations.
Holly and the Ivy
These are very much a part of our Christian Christmas tradition. Birds love holly and ivy because of their red and black fruits as a valuable source of food even in the depths of winter. Traditional Christmas carols celebrate the holly and the ivy, but their use as winter decorations very much predates the Christian festival.
Ivy
The Ancient Britons felt that ivy protected them against
goblins that were at their most malicious in winter. The custom of
decorating homes with ivy and evergreens dates back to pre-Christian
times when they were associated with the power of eternity and
represented life continuing through the winter. Ivy again has a long
pagan history. The God Bacchus is often shown with an Ivy wreath on his
head or surrounded with Ivy. It was believed that Ivy warded off
drunkenness. Some drinking vessels were made from Ivy wood because it
was thought it would prevent you from getting drunk.
Holly
The Romans sent holly branches with presents during the
December festival of Saturnalia, believing the prickly leaves drove evil
spirits away.
The wood of the Holly is heavy, hard and whitish; one traditional use is
for chess pieces, with holly for the white pieces,
Conclusion
So which is the most important Christmas flower?
-
Is it the evergreen Christmas Tree pointing upwards to direct our minds to everlasting life?
-
Is it the Poinsettia with its star like leaves, reminding us of the Star of Bethlehem which guided the Magi?
Perhaps it is the Holly. Christmas has meaning for us
because it celebrates the birth of Jesus. The birth of Jesus is
something which was written about because of what Jesus went on to do.
It was the death and resurrection of Jesus which mattered for the early
Christians. So much so that it is only Luke and Matthew who tell us the
nativity stories.
The Holly speaks to us all at once in the thorns and the berries and the
green leaves of death and life. That Jesus came to die and that through
his death he can be born in our hearts and bring new life to us at
Christmas time.
1 The holly and the ivy,
when they are both full grown,
of all the trees that are in the wood,
the holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
the playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.
2 O the holly bears a blossom,
as white as any flower,
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
to be our sweet Saviour.
Chorus.
3 O the holly bears a berry,
as red as any blood,
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
to do poor sinners good.
Chorus.
4 The holly bears a prickle
as sharp as any thorn,
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
on Christmas Day in the morn.
Chorus.
5 O the holly bears a bark,
as bitter as any gall,
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
for to redeem us all.
Chorus.
6 The holly and the ivy,
when they are both full grown,
of all the trees that are in the wood,
the holly bears the crown.
Chorus