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Christmas Rose |
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A well-known English plant, the Christmas rose, is a true Christmas flower. as the name alludes it is deeply connected with the love, faith and devotion to Christ, The our Savior. This flower is believed to blossom in the snow-covered mountains of Central Europe in the depths of winter, often during the season of Christmas and thus, earns its merit as the true Christmas flower.
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Its botanical name is Helleborus niger. The flowers have five petals surrounding a ring of small, cup-like nectaries (petals modified to hold nectar). The petals do not fall as petals would, but remain on the plant, sometimes for many months. Although the flowers of its species may resemble wild roses (and despite some of their common names, such as "Christmas rose" and "Lenten rose"), they do not belong to the rose family. People often call this white flower with it's petals tipped in pink by the name of Snow Rose or Winter Rose because it flowers during the Winter season, surprisingly at the time when all the other greenery stoops down thickly layered with snow. There's an interesting legend, which demonstrates the aptness of its name as the Christmas Rose, with full certainty.
It's believed that at the time of birth of baby Jesus in Bethlehem and when the wise men and shepherds were going to welcome the child carrying with themselves all kinds of gifts, a poor little shepherdess named Madelon saw them on their way. It was cold wintry night and she was attending to her sheep, when she viewed the procession of splendidly dressed Three Wise Men with their exclusive presents of gold, myrrh and frankincense rushing their way to little Christ. The group was followed by that of shepherds who were also informed by an angel of the birth of their Savior , laden with gifts such as honey, fruits and dove that were not so expensive and elaborate but expressed their joy and love. Out of curiosity, she asked them as to where they were going and also wished to greet the child but she was disappointed when realized that she had nothing to give to the Lord of the Lords, Jesus Christ!
Even after her desperate search she wasn't able to find a single flower in the snow-covered fields and she felt so helpless that she started tears. An angel saw her this way and was generous to transform her love for the Newborn Christ into a Christmas Rose, which she found to her joy, buried deep in snow, and carried it to the child. That's how the Christmas Rose became symbolic of deep Christian faith and devotion and symbolizes Hope.
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