Being a Dad: Surviving Christmas (A Christmas Flower)

Hello and Welcome Home!

Okay, today’s a great day to write about the other ‘not so dad-like’ symbol of Christmas. The Poinsettia is a very special flower to many during the Christmas Season. The question I've wondered for years is, why?’

Some say that the combination of the red and the green leaves create what looks like a Christmas Star. Others say they are just a pretty flower and the only real red and green ones out there. 

There is a bit of a legend for this flower.  The legend states that a young girl went to church on Christmas Eve. She wanted to offer the Christmas Child a gift but had nothing to offer. Because she had nothing to give her heart was filled with sadness instead of Joy.

A little boy in the service next to her notices her tears and says even the humblest of gifts given in love means something. In response to this, the young girl pulled what looked like green blossoms on the side of the road.  

She picked them up and turned them into a bouquet.  When she placed the gift on the church altar, the green leaves suddenly blossomed and turned red. Joy awoke on her face, leaving only a faded memory of her once tearful expression.

This was a gift given in sincere love and thus the Poinsettia has been attributed to the living representation of love. and serenity.  Being a dad doesn't always go the way we would like, there are times when I get so frustrated with my kids I just want to cancel the whole season. 

I began thinking, ‘why not, we can save a ton of money doing so.’ But then I remember, there is more to this holiday than meets the surface. A deeper meaning in which I should find Joy in Celebrating.

Let this story remind you to be sincere, accepting the things we just cannot change, this holiday season. 

Let it help you remember that being a dad that Survives Christmas comes from embracing that spirit of Joy.

Living by Faith with My Family, 

M. E.