ZIPPY ZYGOCACTUS

ZIPPY ZIGO’S
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Zygocactus or Schlumbergerer is at home in Brazil. They grow in rock fissures and on tree boughs.
Hummingbirds love the Zygo’s for their nectar, and in return, the birds pollinate the plants.  A very productive relationship.
Zygocactus are easy to grow and look after. I have a number growing in hangers under the patio. I love them, and they love me evidently because they reward me by producing many blooms. Of course, I need to give them the right amount of water and fertilizer. The Zygo’s have been in cultivation since the 1800s.
The beautiful zygocactus received its name from the who discovered it, Frederic Schlumberger.  Frederic was a collector of cacti and lived in a chateau in France.

Once we commit to Christ as Savior, we grow, we bloom and Christ's character within us will shine through.

A COMMON NAME

​Zygo’s have common names such as the false Christmas tree and Crab’s claw. Similarities exist between the cactus and a crab’s claw.
I have thought for many years that Christmas was a fake. Christmas, as we celebrate it these days, does not express the message of Jesus birth. Another thing, Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born in October.
There is a saying, ‘If you can’t beat them join them.’ The early Christians decided to join the Christmas festival, Christianise it. Today we celebrate Christ’s birth, and the pagan festival at the same time, and we are happy because of all the money that exchanges hands.  Christmas is the best money-spinner ever.  Christmas is beautiful but fake, the cactus is gorgeous and real, even though it has a false name.
I don’t think the Lord wanted his birthday celebrated as we do today. It was his death and resurrection that was important.  His death was the fulfilment of the practice of animal sacrifices for forgiveness of sin.  Animal sacrifices are finished.  Jesus sacrifice of himself was sufficient to clear every one of their sins once and for all.  Never again would God require sacrifices either with animals or a person.  Jesus, perfect God and flawless man, fulfilled God’s demand to keep his standard.     
The celebration of Easter is also a pagan festival, but the anniversary of Christ’s death is correct, and so is the date. Over centuries the tradition has it that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday and rose again sometime between 6 pm Saturday and 6 am Sunday.

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The bud of a red Zygocactus. When we first become Christian or God's child, we have much to learn. We are like buds but as we grow in our relationship with God we reach maturity and are in full blossom

THE TRUTH

Today, the true meaning of Christian celebrations has merged with traditions, and pagan festivals and the truth about Jesus is lost. 
​The desire to combine the Christian and the pagan and make everyone happy overruled the fact.  The truth is: Christ died to redeem us, to make us right with his Father.  The Father God desired us as his beloved children to have an intimate relationship with us.  Because of our willful insistence to be independent, Jesus gave his life to show the immense love God has for us.
The truth is: Jesus was born; he lived and died and rose again. He has done his part; it is now our responsibility to believe and accept what he has done and allow him to indwell us. 

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