During the

early years of Christianity in Rome, many Christians continued to deck

their homes with holly to avoid detection and persecution. Gradually,

holly became a Christmas symbol as Christianity became the dominant religion.

Because the holly leaf has sharp, pointy edges, Christians see the holly

representing Jesus' crown of thorns and the red berries representing the

blood He shed on the cross.

Ivy

Aside from

the familiar carol, "The Holly and the Ivy," the ivy vine doesn't

have quite the Christmas tradition as mistletoe and holly, Aling says.

It was associated with Bacchus the Roman god and thought to bring good

luck, fun and ecstatic happiness. Growing the plant on the outside walls

of a house was believed to be a deterrent against misfortune. However,

if it died, it was thought that financial trouble was approaching. Like

evergreens, ivy was also seen as a symbol of eternal life.

Because ivy

symbolized prosperity and charity, it became associated with Christmas,

a time to celebrate the rich rewards of life yet remember the less fortunate.

Christian symbolists also consider the ivy's need to cling to a support

emblematic of man's need for divine support, explains Aling.

Mistletoe

Legend explains

that the tears of Scandinavian goddess Frigga saved her son after he was

shot with an arrow made of mistletoe. When she ordered mistletoe never

again be used to harm others, she made it a symbol of peace and love.

It was also hung over doorways to ward off evil and bring happiness, health

and good luck, and kissing under the mistletoe was thought to increase

the possibility of marriage in the upcoming year.

When Christianity

took a foothold in northern Europe, mistletoe was one of the pagan casualties.

For centuries it was forbidden on Christian altars. Eventually, mistletoe

found its way back into acceptance when the Victorians revived the ancient

ritual of kissing under the mistletoe as a sign of love, romance and good

luck.

Poinsettias

"While

most Christmas plants date back several hundred years to Europe and the

Mediterranean," Aling pointed out, "the poinsettia is a relatively

recent Christmas symbol based in the Western world." Native to Mexico

and cultivated by the Aztec Indians, the poinsettia is named after Joel

Roberts Poinsett, first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, who imported it from

Mexico in 1828. After the Spanish conquest and the introduction of Christianity,

the poinsettia found a place in Christmas rituals.

The legend

of the poinsettia tells of a poor village boy in Mexico who wanted to

give the Holy Child a gift, but had no money. In desperation, he picked

some weeds on his way to church to leave as his gift. He prayed to God

to help him show his love and God answered by turning the weeds into a

beautiful star-shaped flower with bright red leaves. The poinsettia has

been a Christmas symbol ever since signifying how Jesus meets the needs

of His believers.

Even though

most Christmas plants are short-lived, basic care helps them last through

the holiday season.

"Holly

is actually a shade shrub that is quite plentiful in England. The shrub

should be planted in the spring," said Dr. Jerry Beilby, professor

of biology at Northwestern College. "Cut holly lasts longer indoors

if treated like cut flowers, placed in cool water, and kept away from

excessive heat."

Ivy is more

of an English Christmas green than an American one, he said. "It's

a very popular houseplant in the United States since it's relatively easy

to grow. It takes low water, either direct or indirect sun and even thrives

in the shade."

Mistletoe is

actually a parasite that feeds off trees and shrubs, Beilby said. "Plants

bloom in the summer and produce white berries during the winter. Mistletoe

is often hung upside down and dried during the holidays." The berries

are poisonous, so keep the sprigs out of the reach of children. Many commercial

firms now market mistletoe with artificial berries for safety.

"A poinsettia

can last for weeks beyond the holidays when placed in indirect sunlight

at least six hours a day," he explained. "Keep it away from

cold drafts and excessive heat. Water when it feels dry, and after the

blooming season use an all-purpose fertilizer once a month."

Beilby added

that the belief that poinsettias are poisonous is a misconception. Scientific

evidence of the plant's safety is ample and well documented. Poinsettias

are actually helpful in removing pollutants from indoor air.

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