Golden Poinsettia

Hello Friends!! I find this post finds you all well. It is hard to believe it is December and Christmas is just a couple of weeks away!! I don't know about you all but I sure am not ready. I am still working on cards. I so love this time of year, it is filled with so much joy. Our church has so many services celebrating the Savior's Birth and the true meaning of Christmas.

With the true meaning of Christmas in mind, I decided to make a Christmas card with a poinsettia for this week's Shining the Light challenge:

Our Daily Bread Designs, Poinsettia Ornament, Let it Snow, Mini Tag Sentiments, Mini Tag Dies, Circle Ornament Dies, Matting Circles, Beautiful Borders, Fancy Ornaments, Designer-Chris Olsen

ODBD Card Recipe:
ODBD Stamps Used: Poinsettia Ornament, Let it Snow, Mini Tag Sentiments
ODBD Dies Used: Beautiful Borders, Matting Circles, Circle Ornaments, Fancy Ornaments, Mini Tag dies
While the origin of the Christmas poinsettia is red or white, I decided to make mine gold and white to show the royalty, purity, and priceless gift or the Savior.

There is an old Mexican legend about how Poinsettia's and Christmas come together, it goes like this:

There was once a poor Mexican girl called Pepita who had no present to give the the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked to the chapel, sadly, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up.

'Pepita', he said "I'm sure that even the smallest gift, given by someone who loves him will make Jesus Happy."

Pepita didn't know what she could give, so she picked a small handful of weeds from the roadside and made them into a a small bouquet. She felt embarrassed because she could only give this small present to Jesus. As she walked through the chapel to the altar, she remembered what Pedro had said. She began to feel better, knelt down and put the bouquet at the bottom of the nativity scene. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw them were sure they had seen a miracle. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the 'Flores de Noche Buena', or 'Flowers of the Holy Night'.

The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent his purity.

To me this legend goes with one of my favorite children's hymns:

What can I give Him
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet what I can I give Him--give my heart.

I hope you have enjoyed my take on the inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you enjoy my creation!! For more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my dt sisters: Cheryl Scrivens , DJ Rants, Diana Nyugen, Robin Clendenning, Linda Carson, and Elizabeth Whisson.

Blessings,

13 comments:

Alshandra said...: Such a beautiful card Chris! The white and gold are gorgeous together and I love the bow and heart with the strands dangling down. Thanks for sharing the old Mexican legend - I learn something new every day! Gorgeous card!; December 9, 2014 at 7:27 AM
Conniecrafter said...: Beautiful, Love the background and the bells are a sweet touch!; December 9, 2014 at 10:15 AM
DJ Rants said...: Beautiful poinsettia ornament in gold!! Love how you've combined the beautiful dies, it definitely has the look of royalty!!; December 9, 2014 at 11:41 AM
CherylQuilts said...: Oh, Chris, you surprise us each week with another absolutely gorgeous card! And the golden poinsettias as stunning! I love your layout and your wonderful use of dies, including the bitty gold heart at the top of the ornament tied with cord holding the Christmas bells! Gorgeous!

And, what a delightful legend that once again reminds us of how we bring nothing to Him and He gives us new life through Christ. Oh, may we live each day in expectation of His coming again. What a blessing we would be to others and how it would change our perspective!

Warm hugs, sweet friend, and I'm praying for you too!; December 9, 2014 at 3:19 PM
Sandra H said...: So pretty is your card xx; December 9, 2014 at 6:13 PM
Georgia said...: Thank you for such an inspiring card and a wonderful legend. I had not heard this and I am going to look up the children's hymn you remark here. My heart was heavy today and you have made it sing, as I look more to Him and less to me. God Bless you.; December 9, 2014 at 7:06 PM
Grace said...: Oh how gorgeous Chris! Love the gold and all your beautiful details! Loved being reminded of the legend as well!
Hugs,
Grace; December 9, 2014 at 9:20 PM
Jennipher said...: Your creation is stunning Chris! The gold is so majestic. Really its divine elegance.; December 9, 2014 at 10:32 PM
Robin Clendenning said...: Wow Chris! this is so gorgeous with your elegant gold details!! so love it all! I'm borrowing a computer so I'm making this short sweet friend. I'll be home tomorrow God willing. love you sweet friend!; December 10, 2014 at 1:35 PM
Linda Carson said...: Beyond gorgeous Chris!! It truly does look royal w/the gold! You always add the most beautiful details too! Love it, love it!; December 10, 2014 at 9:19 PM
Diana Nguyen said...: Gold is just a classy color for a Christmas card and yours is super classy! Love your framing!; December 12, 2014 at 10:13 AM
Sandee Shanabrough said...: WOWWWWW!!!!!! Chris this is exquisite! So beautiful!; December 13, 2014 at 3:19 PM
Greta said...: Elegant, gorgeous card, Chris! I always love seeing your creations. Hope you're doing better & have a blessed holiday season.; December 14, 2014 at 10:41 PM