In connection with Christ's birth it may be noted that the early
painters represent the Angel Gabriel with either a sceptre or spray of the
olive tree, while in the later period of Italian art he has in his hand a
branch of white lilies.[11] The star which pointed out the place
of His birth has long been immortalised by the Ornithogalum
umbellatum, or Star of Bethlehem, which has been thought to resemble the
pictures descriptive of it; in France there is a pretty legend of the rose-
coloured sainfoin. When the infant Jesus was lying in the manger the plant
was found among the grass and herbs which composed his bed. But
suddenly it opened its pretty blossom, that it might form a wreath around
His head. On this account it has been held in high repute. Hence the practice
in Italy of decking mangers at Christmas time with moss, sow-thistle,
cypress, and holly. [12]
Near the city of On there was shown for many centuries the sacred
fig-tree, under which the Holy Family rested during their "Flight into
Egypt," and a Bavarian tradition makes the tree under which they found
shelter a hazel. A German legend, on the other hand, informs us that as
they took their flight they came into a thickly-wooded forest, when, on
their approach, all the trees, with the exception of the aspen, paid
reverential homage. The disrespectful arrogance of the aspen, however,
did not escape the notice of the Holy Child, who thereupon pronounced
a curse against it, whereupon its leaves began to tremble, and have done
so ever since:--
"Once as our Saviour walked with men below,
His path of mercy through a forest lay;
And mark how all the drooping branches show
What homage best a silent tree may pay.Only the aspen stood erect and free,
Scorning to join the voiceless worship pure,
But see! He cast one look upon the tree,
Struck to the heart she trembles evermore."The "rose of Jericho" has long been regarded with special reverence,
having first blossomed at Christ's birth, closed at His crucifixion, and
opened again at the resurrection. At the flight into Egypt it is reported to
have sprung up to mark the footsteps of the sacred family, and was
consequently designated Mary's rose. The pine protected them from
Herod's soldiers, while the juniper opened its branches and offered a
welcome shelter, although it afterwards, says an old legend, furnished
the wood for the cross.