CHICAGO, IL—While the Nativity accounts in Scripture do not list specific holiday flora, the significance of flowers, plants, and trees found throughout the Bible continues to shape modern Christmas traditions, linking scriptural imagery to deeper theological truths surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, according to liturgical historians.
These symbolic connections, developed over centuries of Christian reflection, transform common seasonal decorations like the evergreen, lily, and rose from simple ornaments into potent reminders of redemption, purity, suffering, and eternal hope. Florists and decorators frequently draw upon these layered meanings to craft arrangements that communicate more than mere festivity.
The Evolution of Christmas Symbolism
The celebration of Christmas as a major liturgical event emerged long after the writing of the New Testament. However, biblical texts frequently employ botanical elements—from the fleeting beauty of field flowers to the enduring quality of aromatic resins—to illustrate spiritual principles such as faithfulness, purity, and God’s enduring promises.
As Christians sought visual ways to interpret the meaning of the Messiah’s arrival, they overlaid these scriptural images onto plants associated with winter and the Nativity narrative, resulting in deeply meaningful floral customs.
Key Plants Transmitting Biblical Themes
Several plants and resins carry robust theological weight, moving beyond decorative use:
The Lily: Purity and Divine Provision
Known largely from Jesus’ sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:28–29), the lily exemplifies purity, beauty, and unwavering trust in God. Jesus used the lily’s effortless elegance to teach dependence on divine provision. In Christian art, the white lily became strongly associated with the Virgin Mary, appearing in Annunciation and Nativity scenes to symbolize her humility, obedience, and moral sanctity. Lilies thus underscore the holiness of Christ’s miraculous birth.
The Rose: Hope, Renewal, and Sacrifice
Rooted in prophetic literature (Isaiah 35:1) where the desert is envisioned to “blossom as the rose,” this flower symbolizes joy, restoration, and messianic hope. Traditionally interpreted through Christian eyes as the “Rose of Sharon,” the rose reflects Christ’s arrival as new life blooming in a cold, fallen world. The pairing of its beauty with its thorns also makes it a powerful metaphor connecting the joy of the Nativity with the future pain of the Crucifixion, representing redemption found through sacrifice.
Evergreen Plants: Endurance and Eternal Life
The resilience of evergreen species—remaining vibrantly green throughout the severity of winter—made them natural biblical symbols of endurance and faithfulness (Psalm 1:3). Adopted into Christmas tradition via wreaths and trees, evergreens vividly communicate the promise of eternal life offered through Christ, reminding observers that divine promises remain perpetual and unchanging.
Modern Plants, Historical Meaning
Two notable plants, while not named in the Bible, integrate core scriptural inspiration into their Christmas meaning:
- Poinsettia (The Humble Offering): Originating from Mexican Christian folklore, the poinsettia’s vibrant red leaves are said to resemble the blood of Christ, while its star-shaped leaves recall the Star of Bethlehem. The traditional origin story—of a poor child’s simple weeds transforming into beautiful flowers—mirrors the biblical concept of valuing humble offerings given in faith.
- Holly (The Crown of Kingship): Like the rose, holly visually merges contrasting elements. Its sharp leaves are traditionally linked to Christ’s crown of thorns, while the red berries symbolize His sacrificial blood. This arrangement positions the holly as a visual tool for communicating that the infant Savior is also the suffering King.
Beyond floral elements, the aromatic resins of frankincense and myrrh, specifically named as gifts from the Magi (Matthew 2:11), carry profound theological weight. Frankincense represents Christ’s divinity and priesthood, while myrrh, used for anointing the dead, prophetically signals His mortality and purpose of sacrifice.
For those selecting floral elements this Christmas season, understanding these established connections offers an opportunity to infuse decor with historical depth, bridging ancient biblical poetry and modern devotional practice. These botanical symbols serve as enduring visual narrative markers, ensuring that the deeper story of the holiday continues to bloom.