There’s something about Christmas that awakens the soul. The soft glow of the tree, time-honored family traditions, and the scents of peppermint, nutmeg, and gingerbread all work together to stir up warm, fuzzy memories. Among these seasonal delights, one fragrance stands out for its sacredness. For me, that fragrance is cinnamon.
While it is considered a cozy holiday spice for most people, it carries a much deeper meaning. Cinnamon is the scent of strength, the aroma of grace, and a reminder of God’s presence breaking through when life is not so ‘Merry and Bright.
The Power of Scent: Cinnamon & Memory
Anytime I hear or even smell a whiff of cinnamon, it takes me back to the image of my kids sitting on the couch, giggling through The Game Plan. In one scene, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson bites into a cookie and his throat starts to feel itchy. He asks his daughter, “what did you put into those cookies?” She reveals the ingredients and the Rock mumbles in a silly voice, “Cinnamon! I’m allergic to cinnamon!”
On a side note, my grown children still quote that line every time they smell cinnamon (and it’s funny everytime). If you’re now repeating “Cinnamon, I’m allergic to cinnamon!” in The Rock’s voice—you’re welcome!
Beyond the memories, cinnamon has taken on a sacred meaning in my life and I still cherish its sweet aroma.
Cinnamon in the Bible: A Holy Fragrance of Grace
And it’s not just my story, cinnamon shows up in God’s story, too. In Exodus 30:22–32, God gave Moses detailed instructions for making a holy anointing oil. Cinnamon was one of the key ingredients, alongside myrrh, cassia, and olive oil. This sacred mixture wasn’t just for fragrance; it was for consecration, setting things and people apart for God’s purposes. Here are 5 powerful truths that cinnamon teaches us about the heart of God:
1. Cinnamon Isn’t Optional. And Neither Are You
Cinnamon wasn’t just a nice extra; it was essential. Without it, the anointing oil wouldn’t be complete or holy.
“Say to the Israelites: ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come.’” – Exodus 30:31
Just like the oil, our lives are to be set apart or holy and marked by God’s presence and purpose.
2. Grace Flows Like Oil
The anointing oil represents the Holy Spirit, poured out freely by God’s grace. It softens, heals, and empowers us.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
At Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift of all: Jesus. Through Him, grace flows like oil (lavished, unearned, and endless). Isn’t this just like God’s grace?
3. Do You Smell Like Jesus?
The scent of cinnamon fills a room. In the same way, our lives are to carry the aroma of Christ and be a sweet presence wherever we go.
“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved…” – 2 Corinthians 2:15
This season, ask yourself: What fragrance is my life giving off? Do your words and actions invite others to Jesus, or do they push them away like week-old fruitcake?
4. God’s Eternal Plan
In Revelation 21:19–20, we see a breathtaking picture of God’s eternal Kingdom:
“The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone… the eleventh was hyacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.”
The hyacinth stone is a beautiful cinnamon-colored gem and it’s one of the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem. These stones don’t just symbolize beauty. They represent the unchanging, eternal promises of God’s Kingdom. Cinnamon’s rich color reminds us that God’s plan stretches far beyond our present struggles. It is infinite, full of hope, and gives us strength in those hard seasons of life.
5. Broken to Be a Blessing
But, did you know that the rich aroma of cinnamon is released when it’s broken? The same is true for us.
“This is My body, broken for you…” – 1 Corinthians 11:24
Jesus understands brokenness and died upon the Cross to make our lives whole. Often, our greatest healing and strength often comes through some of life’s crushing moments.
My Broken Cinnamon Moment
Twelve years ago, I attended a women’s event and each of us received a cinnamon stick. The instructions were to smell it first, then break it, and smell it again.
As I snapped the stick, a forgotten memory surged forward. I was a child again, watching my 8-year-old sister sprinkle cinnamon sugar on plain white bread to feed our hungry little bellies. When our parents were not home, she took care of me and my little brother in her small little way.
We didn’t have much, but my sister’s simple act became a banquet of love. God used her kindness to meet our needs and show His care. This memory showed me that I can find God’s strength (even at Christmas) because He loves us. To learn more about my journey, click here.
That moment of broken cinnamon became a sacred reminder: God had been with me all along, even in scarcity and when I felt alone. His grace was quietly working behind the scenes through ordinary people like you, me, and my sister.
How to Carry the Aroma of Christ This Christmas
So, what does it look like to carry the sweet, strong aroma of Christ this Christmas? Here are four ways to embody the message of cinnamon:
✅ Be the aroma of Christ by loving and serving others.
✅ Invite the lonely. Open your table, your home, and your heart to someone who feels forgotten.
✅ Share your story or testimony. It may be the key that unlocks hope for someone else.
✅ Let God use your brokenness and don’t hide your scars. Let God shine through them.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
Final Thought
This Christmas, may your life release the warm, holy fragrance of grace, like cinnamon crushed and made useful through brokenness. God isn’t asking for perfection. He’s inviting you to be present and set apart. To be willing to let His anointing flow through your ordinary, your weary, even your wounded places.
For this Christmas Season, light the candle. Bake the cookies. Break the cinnamon stick. And remember: The world doesn’t need flawless women. It needs faithful women marked by grace, strengthened through surrender, and made whole in Him.
From my heart to yours,
Merry Christmas,
💛Dee
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This Christmas, take a moment to pause and breathe in the scent of cinnamon, not just as a spice, but as a symbol of God’s grace and strength. Share this message with someone who needs a reminder that God is near, even in the broken places. Comment below: What scent brings you closer to God’s presence or reminds you of His faithfulness? Let’s start a conversation of hope, healing, and holy moments together.
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