Kendall the Fire

This popular evergreen has many legends and traditions connected with it. It is loved by those who look upon the mistletoe as the magic plant. Folklore had this pest of a plant to cure everything from ulcers to epilepsy. Many associated mistletoe with successful marriages, so the “golden bough” was hung over the entrances to homes, years ago. The Druids even drank the juice to become–in their minds–more fertile.

Some early Christians associated the plant with evil. They declared that the “forbidden fruit” in the Garden of Eden was mistletoe. Others asserted that the Cross of Christ was made from mistletoe… legend stating that once the mistletoe was stately and grand, but after the Savior’s death it became so ashamed of its part in His suffering that it shrank in size overnight.

In merrie ole’ England, mistletoe was formed into what was called the “kissing ring” and it became a custom to hang sprigs of it over doorways at Christmastime… a practice that some still invoke today–even in America! It’s power just might cause a “lass” to forfeit a kiss, if caught under its mystic spell.

Science tells us that mistletoe belongs to the laurel family and is known for its pale, greyish-green leaves and wax-like with berries. Among botanists, it is still known as a “tree thief.” Why? Because even though mistletoe makes a tree look alive and healthy even in the midst of winter, the parasite is slowly killing the tree to which is has attached itself.

Think of how that parallels the nature of sin. While forces of truth and right warn of the danger of sin and sinful patterns, other voices within our world suggest that those who don’t participate are the ones really missing out. However, when sin–with it’s roots–attaches itself to the life of a person, a slow death starts to occur. Even Christians can discover that “besetting” sins take their toll. Just like the tree that plays host to the mistletoe, we will be weakened and eventually die spiritually if the blight is not removed. Not just innocent fun… if we identify sin, let’s get rid of it immediately!