Running head: The Poinsettia First Miracle 1

The Poinsettia First Miracle: Hispanic tradition Christmas Story

Institution

Date
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Introduction

Annually, families observe the holidays with a range of traditional cultures, many
channeled from generation to generation. Despite the change in decorations and food, the
traditional cultures bear the same meaning. Spain and Latin America are dynamic, more so
during the holiday festivities and celebrations.

The story starts on that day before Christmas Eve or La Noche Buena. Las Posadas
carries the meaning of “the lodgings or inns”. It is celebrated widely in Mexico followed by La
Noche Buena. Las Posadas demonstrates Mary’s and Joseph’s journey from Bethlehem to
Nazareth with the need of finding a safe place for refuge for the birth of Jesus Mary (Christians
& Catholics).

Each festival evening, the procession is led across the streets by a small child, being
dressed up as an angel. The procession comprises children who wear silver clothing and gold
robes. They carry images of Joseph and Mary on a donkey while lighting their candles. Adults,
who include the musicians, follow the procession. They visit homes that are selected, where they
inquire for lodging for Mary and Joseph. Traditionally, it is not easy for them to be given
lodging. They face hostility in the course of finding the lodging. At every stopping point,
scripture passages are read and there are the carols Christmas singing. After the procession, there
is the celebration of mass each day. Nevertheless, at the end of the service mass, children open
gifts filled with toys, candies, and money occasionally. The gifts are usually of the star-crafted
form, that was believed to have shown the three wise men to baby Jesus biblically.

Originally, the poinsettia beautiful plants are used for decorating homes across the world
from native to Mexico. From the perceptiveness of Nita, a youthful girl, we get to know more
about the holiday through the children’s book. Recently, Nita’s dad lost his career job. This made
Nita be afraid that she would no longer be able to purchase for her family the best gift nor take it
to the church on the evening of La Noche Buena, as per the requirements of the holiday.
However, it was an elevating occasion when a church garden stone angel appeared to her and
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told her not to worry but to just take a mass of greens into the church, whereby later they were
miraculously turned into red plants, poinsettia.

Nita comes to terms that money can never buy happiness and love. She learns that there
are internal attributes that outplay material objects which are bought (Tumbling, 2018). Also, she
gently gets reassurance from her mother. Despite her sadness, she comes to the understanding
that she is blessed with family and love. The moral teachings of this story are very important to
Christianity as many of them are filled with materialism and consumerism during Christmas Eve.
Nita finds out the importance of giving out as she experienced the first miracle of Poinsettia.

In conclusion, the culture of Hispania is exciting and vibrant as compared to other

cultures. It sets an aura of mystery, frivolity, and solemnity concerning the festivity. The
Hispanics bring up the mirthful spirit to their festivals perfectly. Their traditional holidays will
remain to be the anticipatory wonder source in all of their festive seasons.
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References

Christians, O., & Catholics, R. The Christian Year.

Tumbling, E. (2018). 4. The Yuletide Juggler.

Walsh, T. F. (2021). 2. Porter in Mexico, 1920-1921. In Katherine Anne Porter and Mexico (pp.
14-48). University of Texas Press.