Merry Christmas!

I’d like to wish a special Merry Christmas to everyone who has taken the time to pay a visit to my blog over the past few months! I’ve only been blogging about my love of gardening and nature for a short time and I feel very fortunate to have met many wonderful people during that period. I appreciate those who’ve followed this blog and commented on my posts. I’ve come to feel very much a part of the great community of garden bloggers!

As a Christmas greeting this year I’d like to share some old postcards from a collection given to my husband. Several of these postcards are decorated with Holly leaves and berries, another plant, like the Poinsettia, that has become a symbol of Christmas over the years.

Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 22, 1923
Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 22, 1923

The sharp leaves of the Holly (of which there are many different species ranging in size from shrubs to trees) symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus. The red berries represent His shed blood.

Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 20, 1919
Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 20, 1919

The purity of Jesus is represented by the white flowers of the Holly. The bitterness of the bark is representative of the gall given to Jesus as he hung on the cross. The green leaves of the Holly represent everlasting life.

These next few cards don’t have Holly in their artwork but have been included just because I like them!

Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 20, 1923
Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 20, 1923

The card above and the one below are actually 91 years old! I wish this type of card and message were still available today.

Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 20, 1923
Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 20, 1923

The card below just really caught my eye. It seems to project such innocence (if you ignore the toy cannon and soldiers!)

Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 21, 1923
Christmas Postcard Postmarked December 21, 1923

Merry Christmas!

 

Picture Perfect Monday: Poinsettia Symbolism

Poinsettia
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Over the years the Poinsettia has become a symbol of Christmas. The shape of the flower and leaves symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem. The red color symbolizes the blood of Christ shed for our salvation. The green color of the stem symbolizes life and hope.