WASHINGTON, D.C. – While the biblical text does not explicitly establish Christmas as a holiday or list specific Nativity flowers, centuries of Christian tradition have woven scriptural plant imagery into the modern celebration, enriching the meaning of the season. A new analysis of perennial blooms, aromatic resins, and evergreens reveals how core biblical themes—purity, eternal life, humility, and redemptive sacrifice—have been communicated through flora, connecting the first-century Nativity story with contemporary devotional practice.
The shift occurred as early Christians reflected on the Bible’s pervasive use of botanical symbolism—trees, flowers, and resin—to convey profound spiritual truths regarding hope, righteousness, and divine provision. This synthesis of biblical metaphor and theological reflection led to several plants, some directly mentioned in Scripture and others inspired by its allegories, becoming tightly linked to the birth of Christ.
Scriptural Roots of Christmas Decor
Many modern holiday staples carry deep, multilayered significance—biblical, artistic, and devotional—that often escapes casual observation.
Lilies: Purity and Divine Trust
Lilies, often featured prominently in Nativity scenes, symbolize purity, faith, and dependence on God. Though not named in context with Christ’s birth, Jesus utilized them in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:28-29) to illustrate God’s abundant care for creation. This symbolism later led to the white lily’s association with the Virgin Mary, signifying her obedience and moral holiness, serving as an artistic and theological bridge to the miracle of Christ’s arrival.
Roses: Love, Joy, and Restoration
Biblical prophets, such as Isaiah (35:1), employed the image of the rose blooming in the wilderness to represent future joy, restoration, and salvation. The “rose of Sharon” (Song of Solomon 2:1) has long been interpreted as a poetic reference to covenant love or Christ himself. This rich imagery established the rose as an enduring Christian motif: the unexpected bloom of new life and salvation entering a broken world, a powerful metaphor for the Christmas miracle. Over time, the rose’s thorns added deeper context, symbolizing the suffering and sacrifice intertwined with divine love.
Symbolism Beyond Explicit Mention
Other key Christmas plants gained their meaning through strong alignment with New Testament themes, even without specific biblical mention.
- Poinsettia: Originating from a Mexican Christian legend, the poinsettia’s star-shaped bracts symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, while its vibrant red color is traditionally linked to Christ’s future sacrifice. This simple yet profound plant visually reinforces humility, transforming simple offerings into glory, echoing biblical parables (Mark 12:41-44).
- Evergreen Plants: Representing endurance, faithfulness, and eternal life, evergreens retain their vibrancy through winter, mirroring the unchanging nature of God’s promises. Used in wreaths and Christmas trees, their symbolism draws on scriptural parallels where the righteous are likened to flourishing, unwavering trees (Psalm 1:3).
- Holly: Although Holly is not explicitly cited in Scripture, its sharp, pointed leaves were adopted by Christians to represent Christ’s crown of thorns, while the red berries symbolized his blood, connecting the joy of the Nativity directly to the salvific purpose of the crucifixion.
Ancient Gifts with Prophetic Insight
Frankincense and Myrrh, the resinous gifts presented by the Magi (Matthew 2:11), solidify the theme that plant-based elements are integrated into the story of redemption. Frankincense, used in temple ritual, symbolized divinity, holiness, and prayer. Myrrh, a burial ointment, represented mortality, suffering, and sacrifice. The inclusion of these items at the Nativity prophetically declared the infant Jesus was both King of Kings and destined to suffer for humanity.
This enduring botanical lexicon offers contemporary observers a greater understanding of the complex theological foundation beneath the festive surface of the Christmas season. By connecting these familiar plants and resins to their scriptural roots, individuals can engage deeper with the historical and spiritual resonance of the holiday.