Where did the ritual of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas time come from and what's so special about it? Have you ever wondered about that?
Before there were any Christmas trees, the custom to kiss beneath the mistletoe more than likely originated in pre-Christian Europe, where it was believed that Mistletoe also possessed life bestowing properties and was associated with fertility. If that wasn't enough praise, mistletoe had a couple of valuable uses such as: it was used as an aphrodisiac and, it was also used as an antidote to poison. Additionally, there is a custom of hanging mistletoe over a doorway to ward off evil spirits from crossing over into your threshold. It truly seems to be a magical little plant.
It's identified with the winter solstice because of its early ties to Norse mythology. Ancient Romans also used the plant in its festival of Saturnalia, which is celebrated in mid-December. In Scandinavia, mistletoe is associated with the pagan goddess Frigga who is married to Odin. In case you don't know, Odin is the BIG Kahuna of all the Norse Gods. Back to Frigga, his wife. She is the Norse goddess of love and the mother of Balder, god of the summer sun. Within this aspect of the story is where mistletoe's association to Christmas is most likely to have begun as it parallels with certain aspect of the Christian tradition.
The legend goes something like this: One night, Balder had a nightmare in which he foresaw his death. The following day, he told his mother about the his terrible omen. She became greatly alarmed. The death of her son didn't have solemn repercusions just for her. If Balder died, so would life on earth. Darkness would fill the place that once the earth inhabited.
Immediately, Frigga, who took her son's dream very seriously, went into action to ward off that catastrophe. She elicited from the elements: fire, water, air, and earth, as well as from all known animal and plant wildlife a vow that no harm would come to Balder because of them.
Unbeknownst to Frigga, her son had one enemy, Loki, the god of evil. He knew of one plant that Frigga had overlooked in her rush to keep Balder alive and save earth from darkness. One plant had not given Frigga a vow not to harm Balder. That plant was the mistletoe that grew as a vine on both apple and oak trees. Knowing of Frigga's oversight, Loki made an arrow with a tip wrapped and hewn from the mistletoe. With malice aforethought, he gave the arrow as a gift to the blind god of winter, Hoder. Hoder, not knowing of Loki's evil plan, released the arrow without realizing where and who it was aimed at and shot Balder dead. Just as Frigga feared, the earth was plummeted into darkeness, as all of the earth's creatures wept for her son.
Yet, miraculously, Balder was brought back to life. Frigga overcome with joy, wept happy tears which fell on the mistletoe, magically creating its characteristic white berries. From that day foreward, Frigga decreed that mistletoe would no longer be seen as anything but a symbol of love and peace and decreed that all gods and humans should kiss beneath its boughs to commemorate her son's return.
This Norse lore celebrates love and rebirth over death and destruction. It's easy to see how this legend thus made its way into European Christianity. The lore of Balder's rebirth is akin to the Christmas celebration of the world's renewal and emergence into "light" with the birth of the Christ Child. Thus is the legend of the mistletoe.
*Compiled from information gathered from the Farmer's Almanac and other sources.
Legend of the Poinsettia
There are many stories about the legend of the Poinsettia, but the following one is what I’ve always been told. I share it now with you:
This particular Christmas story is about a young girl named Maria, who lived on a family farm in a small village in Mexico. The family was very poor. Within the village, it was a practiced custom to exalt the meaning of the Christmas season as the villagers celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. The piazza in front of the church and the church itself was festively decorated for the event. Everyone took part. Even children made gifts to offer to the Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.
Legend has it that Maria wanted to make a very special gift for the Christ Child. She tried to weave a colorful blanket on a loom, but she was just a young girl, not an experienced enough crafter. She wasn't able to create her gift. The yarns became entangled, and she wasn't able to finish the blanket. It made Maria sad. She had wanted to march in the procession with the other village children on Christmas Eve, but she didn’t have a gift to give to Jesus. So, she remained on the sidelines and watched.
When Christmas Eve finally came, the villagers gathered in the piazza. Some whispered that they had heard angels singing as candles were lit and the processional from the piazza into the church began. Joyful music played as beautiful singing filled the air.
Maria was not among the procession. The devastated young girl stood in the shadows of the church, as she watched the townspeople making their joyful noise unto the Lord. Tears came as she realized that she had nothing to present to Jesus.
"I tried," she whispered "I really tried to make something beautiful, but I ruined it and have nothing to give the Savior."
Suddenly, Maria heard a voice. She looked up and saw a bright star in the sky. It was directly above the church. Its light shown brightly over the entire church.
"Child," a voice said to her. "Your heart is pure; your love is pure. The baby Jesus will love whatever you give. Love is what makes every gift have meaning. It is what makes your gift special – because it came from your heart."
Upon hearing that, Maria stepped out from among the shadows, considering this thought. Nearby she noticed tall green weeds growing beside the church. She rushed over and quickly filled her arms with the weeds. She wrapped them in her cape, then ran to the church.
When she arrived, the candles were lit-shining brightly, as the children began singing songs of praise and joy - walking down the aisle carrying their special gifts to give to the baby Jesus.
The priest placed the figure of the baby Jesus in the manger, with the childrens' gifts surrounding them.
Maria felt out of place and a little afraid when she saw everyone dressed in beautiful clothes. Her clothes were dirty and tattered. She tried to slip behind one of the pillars, but the priest saw her and called to her.
"Maria, come! Bring up your gift."
Maria was hesitant. She didn’t know what to do? She wanted to run away. She didn’t think her gift was good enough, no matter how much love she’d offered along with it.
The father saw her hesitation. "Maria, come up here and see the baby Jesus," he gently coaxed. "There is room for one more gift."
Maria walked down the aisle, cradling her cape.
"What do you think Maria is carrying beneath her cloak?" the villagers whispered.
The priest stepped down from the altar and took Maria’s hand, leading her to the Christmas creche. Maria bowed her head in prayer then opened her cape and laid the weeds at the foot of the Baby Jesus.
Voices gasped in astonishment. "Look at those beautiful flowers!" they exclaimed. "Where did she find such a glorious gift?"
Startled by the commotion, Maria opened her eyes. She too was surprised. At the end of each weed was a beautiful bright, red flower in the shape of a star.
Outside, the weeds where her hands had touched, that spread all around the church, had become the same beautiful red flowers.
Maria’s love for the Baby Jesus had created a miracle, and proven that all things, when given and offered with love and a pure heart, are bright and beautiful...
http://youtu.be/brmRUlKbF7g [What Child is This/Josh Groban]:
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