The Christmas Rose is the hellebore. (Helleborus niger pronounced: hell-uh-BORE-us NYE-jer) It blooms in late winter, while the snow is still on the ground. The implication is that Christ was born in the 'winter' of our spiritual darkness, foretelling the 'spring' of our spiritual enlightenment.

It's an allegory that blooms!


http://www.thegardenhelper.com/helleborus.html