The vibrant red poinsettia celebrates the magic of Christmas. In 1828, Dr. Joel Poinsett (1779-1851), the first American ambassador to Mexico, fell in love with a fiery red plant known as the "Flower of the Holy Night." The amateur naturalist brought the beautiful plant, the poinsettia, to America.

According to the Mexican legend, long ago a poor young girl watched others take gifts to the statue of baby Jesus and began to cry because she had nothing to give.

An angel appeared and told her to gather weeds along the road and offer them as the gift. The branches and leaves the girl laid at the manger transformed into the brilliant, beautiful poinsettia.

That is the miracle of the poinsettia.

"What is Christmas?" asked writer Agnes M. Pharo. "It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."

Many merry Christmases.