WASHINGTON, D.C. – While the Christmas festival developed centuries after the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, many plants, flowers, and fragrant resins utilized during the holiday season hold deep biblical, theological, and symbolic significance rooted in ancient scripture. This layered botanical history offers new insight into how Christians connected natural imagery—repeatedly used in the Bible to communicate spiritual truths like hope, purity, and renewal—with the meaning of the Nativity.
A new professional guide explores how several common holiday florals and botanicals embody these connections, bridging ancient scriptural imagery with contemporary devotional practice, though many are not explicitly named as Christmas decorations in the Bible.
Scriptural Roots of Holiday Flora
The Bible is rich with references to flora and fauna, often employing them as metaphors for spiritual concepts. Over time, Christians began linking certain plants—some directly referenced, others inspired by scriptural themes—with the narrative of Christ’s Incarnation.
Lilies: Purity and Divine Provision
Scripture frequently references the lily as an emblem of purity, beauty, and dependence on God. In the Gospel of Matthew (6:28–29), Jesus famously used the lily to illustrate God’s abundant care that surpasses human striving. This connection to immaculate beauty and trust solidified the white lily’s association with the Virgin Mary in Christian artwork and Nativity scenes, symbolizing her humility and holiness.
Roses: Messianic Hope and Restoration
Roses in biblical prophecy, notably in Isaiah 35:1, symbolize future joy and restoration, depicting a wilderness blooming into life. This naturally led to the association of the rose with Christ’s birth—the flourishing of new life into a world marked by spiritual winter. Medieval tradition personified Jesus as the “mystic rose,” while the color red later represented his future sacrifice, connecting the celebration of the Nativity with the entire redemptive story.
Symbolism Beyond the Written Word
Some of the most recognizable holiday plants gained their meaning through Christian devotional practices and folk tradition inspired by scriptural concepts:
- Poinsettia: Though native to Mexico and not mentioned in the Bible, the poinsettia’s vibrant red bracts and star-like shape visually reinforced key Christmas themes. Its red coloration links to Christ’s sacrifice, while its form recalls the Star of Bethlehem guiding the Magi. Mexican legend recounts a poor child’s humble offering miraculously transforming into the rich red flower, echoing biblical teachings on valued faith over wealth (Mark 12:41–44).
- Holly: The sharp leaves and red berries of holly became potent visual symbols in Christian homes, representing the crown of thorns Christ would wear and the blood He would shed, respectively. Its evergreen nature further links it to the promise of eternal life secured by His coming.
Gifts of Incense and Life
Other profound symbols of the Christmas story stem from the exotic gifts presented by the Magi (Matthew 2:11), which were plant-based resins and not flowers.
Frankincense and Myrrh: These aromatic resins underscored the dual nature of the newborn king. Frankincense, used in temple worship, symbolized Christ’s divinity, prayer, and role as high priest, while myrrh, used for anointing and burial, foreshadowed His mortality and impending sacrifice.
Evergreens and Enduring Principles
Plants that remain green year-round, such as pines and cedars mentioned in Scripture (e.g., Psalm 1:3), naturally symbolize endurance, faithfulness, and eternal life. Evergreens, adopted widely in Christmas décor and the Christmas tree tradition, remind believers that God’s promises remain constant and alive, regardless of the season.
The long-standing Christian tradition of integrating these profound botanical symbols—from the humble hyssop (representing purification) to the awakening almond blossom (symbolizing divine watchfulness)—demonstrates how the natural world continues to provide a deeply meaningful language for celebrating the foundational narratives of the faith. These associations offer devotees a visible, tangible link between ancient scripture and the modern commemoration of Christ’s birth.