‘Legend’ brings story of poinsettias to life

BY WALT AMACKER TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: January 8, 2009

But the story goes that on the evening of Dec. 24 many, many years ago, a little girl had nothing to offer the Baby Jesus. Disheartened by her plight, the little girl was visited by an angel who told her that anything she gave the baby would be proper, as long as it was accompanied by a heartfelt offer.

So the little girl picked some weeds and laid them at the feet of the holy child, much to the derision of the surrounding crowd. She closed her eyes, and the weeds and dirt turned into beautiful red poinsettias. And thus was born the tradition of the famous Christmas flower.

Founder and artistic director of the Latin Ballet of Virginia, Ana Ines King, brings this story to life through music and dance with a broad cultural treatment that includes Spanish, Dominican, Mexican, Brazilian, Jamaican and Cuban influences.

But it all comes back to that little girl who listened to what the angel told her. Believe and it will happen.

King has designed the entire production based on the Mexican book that tells the story of the little girl whose weeds turned into a beautiful flower.

"People will recognize the songs and music very easily," King said. "And if they are from any of these countries, they will see and hear traditions that will touch their hearts."

This will be the ninth year that the Latin Ballet of Virginia has performed the work. King uses 37 dancers who range in age from 3½ to 87.

"The story is one that will last forever," King said.

Had it not been for an American diplomat -- Joel Roberts Poinsett -- the story might never have been known in this country.

Appointed as the United States' first ambassador to Mexico in 1825 by President James Madison, Poinsett became enamored with the flowers and had some sent back to his plantation in South Carolina. He successfully grew them there and began to give them to relatives and neighbors as Christmas gifts.

And a Christmas star was born.