Originally published at Churchpop
Advent and Christmas have captured the imagination of countless generations.
Part of that imagination has been the copious amounts of symbols, iconography, and decorations that have become intertwined with them.
One such symbol that has rooted itself in the imagery of Christmastide is the Helleborus niger, better known as the Christmas rose.
Named after its black roots, the Christmas rose is actually a member of the buttercup family but has certain qualities that have allowed it to become a prominent feature of Christmas apparel.
It has surprising links to sacred Scripture and the folklore that has come to embody the hope and joy of the season.
A Flower Fit for the Season
What distinguishes the Christmas rose is that, like other members of the hellebore genus, it is an evergreen plant. This means that it is one of the few flowers that can bloom in the cold winters of northern and central Europe.
It is also a perennial plant, meaning that its snow-white petals became familiar around Christmas year after year. Thus it was only natural for the Christmas rose to become associated with Advent and Christmas, a sign of the beauty of creation that accompanies us during this time of hope and
