According to traditional Mexican folklore, a young girl named Pepita had no gift to bring the Christ Child. An angel encouraged her to gather roadside weeds to offer. When she placed them before the Nativity, the weeds transformed into brilliant red blooms. These became known as Flores de Noche Buena (“Flowers of the Holy Night”), symbolizing Christmas Eve. Spanish missionaries in the 16th century adopted the plant for Nativity scenes because its red-and-green colors appeared naturally in December and its star-shaped leaf pattern was seen as representing the Star of Bethlehem.

St. John’s Altar Guild is making plans to decorate the sanctuary with these special flowers for Christmas Eve, December 24. The 6-inch, $16 plants from K&W Greenery can be requested with order sheets on the Ministry Table or by contacting the church office. Poinsettias can be dedicated in memory or in honor of family and friends, which will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin. All orders must be in by Sunday, November 29. Let’s fill the sanctuary to celebrate the birth of Jesus on this “Holy Night.”