Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Bringing Home the Tree" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Among all the traditions of Christmastime, the custom of decorating the home for the holidays is both world-wide and age-old. For generations, families have cherished the tradition of journeying into the snowy woods to select the finest evergreen for a Christmas tree. Once home, the fragrant tree is laden with colorful ornaments, shiny tinsel and twinkling lights. The exact origins of the Christmas tree are not known; however, popular legend suggests that Martin Luther cut the first Christmas tree in Germany. He is said to have decorated it with sparkling candles to imitate "the starry skies of Bethlehem that Holy Night" and placed a nativity scene under its branches. Since that time, people the world over have decorated Christmas trees in celebration of the holiday. Another popular Christmas decoration is the beautiful poinsettia flower. Representing the flaming Star of Bethlehem through its red bracts, this flower of Mexico was introduced to America in 1829 by Joel Poinsett -- for whom the flower is named. Like the Christmas tree, the colorful poinsettia has a charming Christmas tale. According to legend, a poor Mexican boy, with nothing to offer Christ at church, fell to his knees and prayed to God for a gift to give. As he rose, a lovely "flower of the Holy Night" with brilliant red petals grew miraculously at his feet. Today, the poinsettia is the traditional flower of the Christmas Season. Image Size: 16 x 16 in. Overall Size: 20.25 x 19 in. Unframed. (B06448)