MUM'S THE WORD

Each month has a birthstone. The birthstone for November is the topaz. But each month also has a birth flower; some months have two. Overwhelmingly, the birth flower for November is the chrysanthemum. And it reminds me of Jesus.

The chrysanthemum is a member of the daisy family. Remember plucking the petals from a daisy and singing: “He loves me. He loves me not”?

With Jesus, the answer is always, “He loves me.”

The chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China 15 centuries before Christ as a flowering herb. The flowers can be boiled to make a sweet tea. According to eastern medicine, drinking this tea improves blood flow, reduces varicose veins and treats influenza.

Tea or no tea, Jesus is the Great Physician, both for our physical health and our spiritual well being.

The chrysanthemum was originally golden in color. It became a symbol of the sun. Jesus is not the “sun,” but the Son.

The chrysanthemum flower symbolizes long life, joy, optimism and fidelity.  In Japan, the chrysanthemum’s orderly petals represent perfection. Like Jesus.

Happy birthday to everyone born in the month of November!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the abundant variety of life on this earth. Thank you for creating flowers that bloom each and every month of the year so that we are never without a delightful bouquet of love from you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What do you think of when you see chrysanthemums? Mother’s Day? Garden plants? Foil-wrapped pots on window sills?

Here are the links to previous posts about birth flowers of the month:

June - the rose
July - Larkspurs and Lillies
August - Gladiolas and Poppies
September - Asters and Morning Glories
October - the Marigold