The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-12-23
CHRISTMAS LEGENDS.
Christ child Flowers That Came Into IN
istence at His Birth.

Il
istence at His Birth.
Many flowers are believed to have sprung
into existence the night on which the
Christ child was born.
In France there is pretty legend Of the
rose colored S-ain -foin. When the babe
was lying In his manger, this plant was
among the grass and herbs which COM
posed his bed, but suddenly 1t opened It's
pretty blossom and formed wreath for
Dis head.
The black hellebore or Christmas rose,
Is also called Christ's herb because lit flow
ereth about the birth of our Lord Jesus
| Christ"
In Sicily the children put pennyroyal in
their cots on Christmas eve because 1t al
ways flowers at the exact time of Christ's s
birth.
In the east the rose Of Jericho Is said to
blossom at Christmas, close at Good Fri
day, or the crucihxion, and open again on
Easter or the resurrection morn.
The peasantry in Spain believe that rose
mary brings happiness with Its perfumes
| on Christmas eve because the Blessed Vir-
gin hung the little frock of Jesus to dry
| upon the rosemary bushes.
Tho variegated thistle known as Our
Lady's thistle was 30 called because OF the
Virgins milk which dropped on 1t when
nursing Jesus. It's healing qualities are
attributed to this.
The snowdrop, or "fair" flower, Of Feb
ruary blooms In memory of the time when
the Virgin presented Jesus In the temple.
The pretty little wayside flower known
as "Lady's Bedstrand" was so called be-
cause Mary made the manger bed of 1t.
The sycamore attains its great vitality
and verdure because, the Mohammedans
say, 1t is the tree Of Joseph and Mary and
sheltered them In their flight into Egypt.
The Star Of Bethlehem was so called be-
cause Of its resemblance to the star which
guided the Magi.
The rose of Jericho is also called Mary's
rose. 1t sprung up wherever the Blessed
Virgins feet touched the earth on her way
to Egypt.
The juniper, which is sacred among the
Celtic peoples, received It's wonderful pow
ers because when Herod's soldiers pursued
the holy family the juniper opened her
branches and covered them from sight.
Another legend tells that the cross was
made from juniper wood.
The pine, hazel, fig, date, palm and rose
mary are all attributed with virtue as the
shelters Of the holy family.
When they passed through the forest, all
the trees bowed in reverence; only the as
pen remained erect and arrogant. So the
Holy Child pronounced curse, and lat
the sound of his voice the aspen began 60
tremble through all her leaves and has not
ceased to tremble to this day"
There came not breath of wind through the
trees
Then why did the aspens shiverH
Another version is:
Once, as our Saviour walked with men below,
His path of mercy through forest lay,
And mark how all the dropping branches show
What homage best silent tree may pay.
Only the aspen stood erect and free,
Scorning to Join the voiceless worship pure.
But seel He cast one look upon the tree.
Struck to the heart, she trembles evermore.
An old legend tells that by the fountain
where Mary washed the swaddling clothes
of the Holy Child beautiful flowers and
bushes sprang up.
In Italy the lupine is said to be cursed
by the Virgin because when she carried
the Holy Bambino through field they
rustled so loudly she feared that robbers
were following her to kill the Holy Child.
Another version tells that they all with
cred and fell fiat, and when she found out
her mistake she blessed them, they grew
erect and bore tenfold better produce than
before
The brooms and chickpeas rustled and
cracked 80 loud that they brought Herod's
soldiers near, and Mary cursed them.
A Spanish legend tells that the holy
family came to an orange tree guarded
by an eagle. The Virgin begged an orange
for the Holy Child. The eagle miracu-
lousy fell asleep and the Virgin plucked
three oranges-one for Jesus, one for Jo-
seph and one for herself.
A Roumanian story is something the
same, but Of apples The Christ Child is
restless and will not sleep. The Virgin
gives him her apple; then he throws his
own upward and it becomes the moon, the
other and 1t becomes the sun. Then the
Virgin knew that he was Lord of heaven
and earth.-Philadelphi Ledger.