For centuries, flowers, fragrant resins, and plant imagery inspired by scripture have helped shape the meaning of Christmas, transforming it from a liturgical commemoration into a vivid cultural celebration. While the Bible does not explicitly name Christmas or list Nativity flowers, theological reflection on biblical botany infused the season with layered symbolism rooted in purity, renewal, and eternal promise.
This guide explores the foundational symbols and how plants—both named in scripture and inspired by tradition—narrate the deeper truths surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, providing professional florists and home decorators with richer context.
Lilies, Roses, and the Nativity Narrative
The tradition of linking specific blooms to the Christmas season developed over centuries, driven by Christian devotion and artistic interpretation of holy texts. Flowers frequently mentioned in scripture offer powerful analogies for faith and divinity.
Lilies, for instance, are recognized throughout the Bible as emblems of purity, beauty, and divine provision. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the lily to instruct followers on reliance on God (Matthew 6:28–29). Their traditional association with grace and holiness led to their prominence in Nativity art, particularly signifying the purity and obedience of Mary, the mother of Christ. The white lily transforms the Christmas scene into a reminder of miraculous, divinely initiated holiness.
Similarly, the Rose evolved into a central symbol of Messianic hope and restoration. Prophetic verses, like Isaiah 35:1, evoke a future reality where the wilderness “shall blossom as the rose,” signaling divine renewal. Christians embraced the rose as a metaphor for Christ’s birth—new life blooming in a spiritually cold world. Medieval hymns often referred to Jesus as the “mystic rose,” a theme further complicated by the symbolism of the rose’s sharp thorns, which connect the joy of the Nativity to the future suffering and sacrifice (redemption) of Christ.
Evergreens and Resins: Gifts of Permanence and Prophecy
Not all powerful plant symbols are flowers. The enduring nature of Evergreen plants has long represented faithfulness, spiritual vitality, and eternal life in biblical literature (Psalm 1:3). Because these trees retain their green vitality through the winter, Christians adopted them—in wreaths and later, Christmas trees—as powerful visual cues representing the unchanging nature of God’s promises and the eternal life offered through Christ.
The gifts of the Magi—Frankincense and Myrrh—are sacred plant resins that fundamentally shape the theological meaning of Christmas (Matthew 2:11). Frankincense, used in ancient priestly worship, symbolized Christ’s divinity, holiness, and priestly role. Myrrh, a burial ointment, prophetically foreshadowed his mortality and ultimate sacrifice. Though not flowers, these plant-based elements firmly establish the purpose of Christ’s coming: the infant born in Bethlehem is also the divine Savior destined for the cross.
Modern Symbols Rooted in Humble Tradition
Botanicals not directly named in the Bible often acquire significance when their physical characteristics align with Christian teachings. The vibrant Poinsettia, while native to Mexico, gained profound Christmas meaning through local Christian tradition. The plant’s intense red leaves are frequently linked to Christ’s blood, while the star-like formation of its bracts evokes the Star of Bethlehem. This tradition reinforces the biblical theme that God values humble offerings given in sincere faith, echoing the story of the poor child whose weeds miraculously transformed into the colorful plant.
Finally, the Holly symbolizes kingship and sacrifice. Although the plant is not scriptural, its familiar imagery carries striking religious weight: its sharp leaves are likened to the crown of thorns, its red berries to Christ’s blood, and its evergreen nature to eternal life. Holly thus serves as a powerful visual aid, connecting the joy of the Nativity with the full scope of Christian redemption.
Understanding these layered botanical meanings allows contemporary decorators and florists to communicate profound spiritual and historical narratives through their arrangements, enriching the celebration of Christmas beyond mere aesthetic appeal.