What Is the Significance of Cinnamon in Christian Spirituality?

It’s so good to be with you today! Most of us, when we think of cinnamon, we think of something warm, something comforting, don’t we? It brings to mind those wonderful holiday baking smells or a cozy cup of tea that just makes you feel good. But I want to tell you today that this familiar spice, the one sitting right there in your kitchen, has an amazing and ancient story, a story that’s deeply connected with spiritual practices and beliefs, especially in our Christian faith. You might be asking, “What special meaning could this everyday spice have in our spiritual lives, in how we worship God?” Well, get ready to discover something wonderful! Its journey, from being a treasure more valuable than even gold to a powerful symbol in God’s Word and church traditions, shows us a beautiful story of faith, deep devotion, and those incredible divine encounters God has for us.

What Exactly is Cinnamon and Where Does It Come From?

Before we dive into all the wonderful spiritual meanings, let’s just understand what this amazing spice, cinnamon, really is and where God caused it to grow. Cinnamon is a wonderfully fragrant spice that comes from the inner bark of special trees, trees from the Cinnamomum family.¹ These trees just love to grow in tropical places, with Sri Lanka (which many of you know as Ceylon), Indonesia, India, China, and Vietnam being some of the main places God blessed with these trees.²

There isn’t just one kind of cinnamon. There are a couple of main types people talk about: one is Cinnamomum verum, and folks call that Ceylon cinnamon or “true cinnamon.” It’s loved for its mild, sweet taste. Then there’s Cinnamomum cassia, or cassia cinnamon, which has a stronger, bolder flavor, and that’s the one we often find in stores today.² the Bible doesn’t get into all these exact botanical details – it likely just grouped these wonderfully aromatic barks under the name “cinnamon.” But these differences in where they came from and what type they were would have played a part in ancient trade and how easy it was to get.

Harvesting cinnamon is a careful, dedicated process. Skilled workers, blessed with know-how, gently peel that inner bark from the young branches of the cinnamon tree. Then, this thin layer of bark is set out to dry, and as it dries, it naturally curls up into those “sticks” or quills we all recognize.² Think about that – cinnamon comes from the inner bark, a precious layer hidden away, and it takes real effort to get to it. Maybe that was a little hint from God, long ago, that it was something special, something valuable, not just ordinary, even before it was given deep spiritual meanings. This careful way of harvesting showed the hard work and dedication that went into producing this spice, and that’s part of why it was valued so highly in the ancient world. God often uses things that require dedication to teach us valuable lessons!

How Was Cinnamon Valued and Used in Ancient Times?

It’s hard to even put into words how much people valued cinnamon in ancient times. Believe it or not, there was a time when it was considered more precious than gold! 2 When you understand that, it makes perfect sense why it would be chosen for sacred things, for royalty, or for moments of deep, heartfelt significance.

Long before it was even mentioned in the Bible, ancient civilizations knew cinnamon was something special:

• Ancient Egypt: The Egyptians, way back then, actively looked for cinnamon for their embalming rituals and other religious practices.² It was so precious, they even put it in the tombs of pharaohs because they believed it had special qualities that could help preserve the departed.² This early connection with sacred ceremonies around death and preservation hints at a belief that cinnamon had a power beyond just its lovely smell. It was setting the stage for its later religious importance.
• Ancient Rome and Greece: In these powerful cultures, cinnamon was a highly desired luxury. They often used it in perfumes and burned it like incense during their religious ceremonies.² And it wasn’t just about the fragrance; the Romans and Greeks also honored cinnamon for what they believed were its healing abilities, using it in their traditional medicines and potions.²
• Medieval Europe and Asia: The high regard for cinnamon just kept going through the ages. In medieval Europe, it was a symbol of wealth and high status, often given as a very special gift among the nobility.² And in Asian cultures, especially in places like Sri Lanka and India where it grew more plentifully, cinnamon was a key part of both spiritual ceremonies and their delicious foods.²

Throughout all these times, cinnamon was a major player in the spice trade routes, shaping economies and connecting faraway cultures.¹ The fact that cinnamon was consistently used in religious practices across so many different pre-Christian cultures—from Egypt to Rome and Greece—shows us that people have always been drawn to connect powerful, pleasant, and rare aromas with the sacred, with the divine. This widespread understanding likely meant that when cinnamon was later brought into Israelite worship, choosing it felt culturally right as something fitting for holy purposes, and it was also divinely approved.

But this strong link between cinnamon, wealth, and status also brought a little spiritual tension. On one hand, using such a valuable item in worship could mean you’re offering your very best to God, and that’s a beautiful thing. On the other hand, because it was tied to worldly luxury, there was a risk it could clash with the ideal of spiritual humility. That’s a theme we see pop up later when it’s mentioned in the Book of Revelation. God wants us to offer our best always with a humble heart.

Where Does the Old Testament Mention Cinnamon, and What Was Its Importance?

The Old Testament, God’s amazing Word, mentions cinnamon in several important places, and each one shows us a different side of its importance and symbolism in the life of ancient Israel.

• Exodus 30:23: this is a big one! Right here, God Himself commands Moses to use “sweet cinnamon” as one of the main ingredients in the “holy anointing oil”.¹ This divine instruction immediately lifts cinnamon to a sacred role in Israelite worship, right from the very beginning. When God says it, you know it’s important!
• Proverbs 7:17: in a very different setting, cinnamon is mentioned as a perfume used by an adulterous woman to make her bed smell inviting as she tries to tempt a young man: “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon”.¹ This passage shows us a worldly, sensual use of cinnamon. It highlights its attractive fragrance and its power to draw people in—a power that, as we see, could be used for holy purposes or, sadly, for unholy ones.
• Song of Solomon 4:14: Here, cinnamon appears in a list of precious and exotic spices in a beautiful garden, which is often seen as a picture of the beloved. The verse says, “nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices”.¹ In this poetic place, cinnamon adds to an atmosphere of pure delight, abundance, beauty, and deep, powerful love. And Christian tradition has often seen this love, allegorically, as the incredible love between Christ and His Church. Isn’t that beautiful?

Cinnamon was seen in the Old Testament as a “very precious spice”.³ It was a symbol of wealth, status, luxury, beauty, and, in certain special ways, spiritual devotion.¹ Including it in sacred things like the anointing oil showed consecration and the pleasing nature of offerings dedicated to God.

So, the Old Testament gives us a kind of dual picture of cinnamon: it’s sacred and highly valued in worshipping God it’s also linked with worldly luxury and even the pull of temptation. This isn’t necessarily a contradiction, friends. It just shows that a powerful and valuable thing can be used for good or for bad. Its moral meaning comes from how it’s used and the heart behind its use. The natural qualities of the spice, like its fragrance and value, are neutral; their spiritual weight comes from our choices and God’s commands.

And here’s something else to think about: the fact that cinnamon was found in Palestine—a spice brought in from faraway lands like India and Ceylon (which we now call Sri Lanka) 1—shows us that ancient Israel was surprisingly connected to the wider world, even in its most sacred rituals. For the Tabernacle’s holy anointing oil, a key ingredient came through international trade! This subtly reminds us that God’s provisions and His sacred items can involve people from all over the globe working together, and that sacredness isn’t always tied to just local things. God’s reach is global!

To help you see it clearly, here’s a little overview of where the Bible mainly talks about cinnamon:

Book	Verse	Direct Context	Implied Significance/Use
Exodus	30:23	Holy Anointing Oil	Sacred, Consecration, Holiness
Proverbs	7:17	Perfuming a bed (seduction)	Luxury, Allure, Sensuality
Song of Solomon	4:14	Garden of spices (beloved)	Beauty, Delight, Preciousness, Love
Revelation	18:13	Cargo of Babylon (New Testament)	Valuable commodity, Worldly luxury

What is the Significance of Cinnamon in the Holy Anointing Oil (Exodus 30)?

The role cinnamon played in the holy anointing oil, as God laid it out in Exodus chapter 30, is absolutely central to its spiritual meaning in the Old Testament. God gave Moses a specific, divine recipe for this sacred oil. He commanded him to use “sweet cinnamon” (קינמון-בשם, qinnemon besem) – 250 shekels of it! 1 That was a major amount, showing just how important it was in this holy mixture.

Cinnamon was one of four amazing aromatic spices blended with olive oil. Here’s the full recipe God gave:

• Pure myrrh (500 shekels)
• Sweet cinnamon (250 shekels)
• Fragrant calamus (or cane) (250 shekels)
• Cassia (500 shekels)
• Olive oil (one hin, which is about 4-7 liters) 1

The purpose of this holy anointing oil was so powerful. It was used to anoint the Tabernacle (that portable sanctuary), all its sacred furnishings, including the Ark of the Covenant, and to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, setting them apart for God’s special service.¹ This anointing marked them as “most holy,” showing their dedication to the Lord and their change from ordinary use to a sacred purpose.¹⁰ So, cinnamon played a vital part in this act of making things holy, this sanctification. The exact measurements God gave for cinnamon and the other spices suggest a divine order and a real intentionality in worship. It implies that when we approach God and set things apart for His service, we need to carefully follow His instructions, not just come up with our own methods based on what we prefer. God honors obedience!

The holiness of this oil was fiercely protected by strict rules. It was forbidden for any common or personal use. Exodus 30:32 clearly says, “Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured” for everyday things.¹⁰ And the Israelites were forbidden to copy the formula for any other use.⁷ If anyone broke these rules, they would be “cut off from his people”.¹¹ These rules powerfully emphasized the oil’s exclusive holiness and the absolute holiness of God. They also served as a test of the Israelites’ obedience – would they honor God’s commands? 10

Theologically, including precious cinnamon in the anointing oil was seen to represent the richness and purity needed in worship and service to God.¹ Its wonderful aromatic qualities were also symbolic of the pleasing nature of a life completely consecrated to the Lord.¹ The act of anointing with this cinnamon-infused oil was understood to actually transform the status of objects and people, making them “most holy”.¹¹ This suggests a belief that sacredness could be tangibly transferred through a divinely ordained medium, and cinnamon was right there, contributing to this transformative power.

The Old Testament’s exclusive designation of this oil for priests and sacred objects, forbidding its use on “a stranger” or for common purposes 7, really highlights the concept of separation and holiness under the Old Covenant. But this exclusivity also beautifully sets the stage for us to understand the New Covenant, where the anointing of the Holy Spirit becomes available to all believers (1 John 2:20) 10, and believers themselves are described as the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).⁷ This shows such a wonderful development in God’s plan! The physical, restricted anointing with cinnamon-laden oil was a foreshadowing of a universal spiritual anointing that God has for you and me today. That’s something to get excited about!

What Spiritual Symbolism Can We Understand from Cinnamon in the Anointing Oil?

Christian tradition, filled with wisdom, has often looked for deeper, symbolic meanings in the elements of Old Testament worship. They saw them as foreshadowing New Testament truths, especially the incredible person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. And the spices in that holy anointing oil, including our friend cinnamon, have been rich subjects for this kind of spiritual understanding. God loves to give us pictures and symbols!

One powerful way of looking at it is to see the spices typologically – that means connecting them to aspects of Christ’s ministry and the Christian life. The table below, drawing from sources like Witness Lee’s interpretation 8, gives us a glimpse into some of these amazing symbolic meanings:

Spice	Quantity (Exodus 30\)	Traditional Symbolic Interpretation	Connection to Christ/Spiritual Life
Myrrh (Flowing)	500 shekels	Precious death of Christ, bitterness of suffering, healing	Christ’s suffering and atoning death; healing from the “wrong secretions” of sin.
Cinnamon (Fragrant)	250 shekels	Sweetness & effectiveness of Christ’s death, stimulates the heart	Joy & spiritual vitality from Christ’s sacrifice; purity in worship; the pleasantness of Christ.
Calamus (Fragrant)	250 shekels	Christ’s resurrection (rising up from a marshy place)	Christ’s victory over death and His ability to stand tall in difficult circumstances.
Cassia	500 shekels	Power & effectiveness of Christ’s resurrection, repellent to evil	Christ’s power to overcome evil and withstand any environment; protection from spiritual harm.
Olive Oil	1 hin	Base for the spices, symbol of the Holy Spirit	The Holy Spirit’s enabling power, binding all of Christ’s virtues together for believers.

Let’s focus on that fragrant cinnamon. Some wise commentators see it as representing the sweetness and effectiveness of Christ’s death.⁸ Just like cinnamon has that distinct, pleasant flavor and was even believed to give a little boost to a weak heart, the effects of Christ’s sacrifice are seen as spiritually uplifting, bringing joy and new life to everyone who believes.⁸ this offers such a powerful and hopeful way to look at things! While myrrh in the oil clearly points to the suffering and bitterness of Christ’s death, cinnamon highlights the sweet, life-giving outcome of that sacrifice for you and me. That’s good news!

Beyond this Christ-centered symbolism, cinnamon’s presence in the oil speaks to the purity and holiness that God desires in our service to Him.¹ Its preciousness and delightful fragrance mirror the beauty and holiness that we, as believers, are called to live out, with Christ Himself being the ultimate pure and holy offering. The aromatic quality of cinnamon, along with the other spices, also symbolizes the pleasing nature of a consecrated life offered up to God.¹ This connects so beautifully to the New Testament idea that Christ’s sacrifice was a “sweet-smelling aroma” to God (Ephesians 5:2).¹³ God is pleased when we offer our lives to Him!

Here’s another fascinating thought: some connect the Hebrew root of the word for cinnamon, qinnamon, to the idea of “to erect” or “to stand up.” This view suggests cinnamon symbolizes Christ as the builder of God’s house (which is the you and me!) and His kingdom, which stands firm and strong against all the corruption of the world.¹³ This links its use in consecrating the Tabernacle (God’s house in the Old Testament) to Christ building the Church (God’s spiritual house in the New Testament). It shows a wonderful continuity in God’s amazing plan!

These symbolic interpretations often draw direct lines between cinnamon’s physical qualities—its sweet fragrance, its perceived stimulating effect, its high value—and deep spiritual concepts like the sweetness of Christ’s sacrifice, spiritual new life, and the preciousness of a holy life. This reflects a beautiful theological understanding where the world God created, in all its beauty and unique qualities, can mirror divine truths and aspects of God’s incredible character. God is speaking to us through His creation!

How Does Cinnamon Appear in the New Testament?

Cinnamon makes a very notable, though just one direct, appearance in the New Testament, and it’s in the powerful Book of Revelation.

The main reference is Revelation 18:13. Here, cinnamon is listed among the valuable cargoes and merchandise of that great, decadent city called “Babylon the great”.¹ This list is part of a sorrowful lament over Babylon’s coming downfall, and it includes a whole array of luxury goods: spices, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine linens, pearls, precious metals, exotic woods, and even, chillingly, “slaves, that is, human souls”.¹

In this dramatic picture, cinnamon’s inclusion really emphasizes its continued high economic value and its strong connection with worldly wealth, opulence, and the excesses of a corrupt global trading system.¹ The fall of Babylon serves as a divine judgment against materialism, against unjust business, and against the pride that so often comes with that kind of wealth.¹ Cinnamon, as part of this list of luxuries, symbolizes earthly riches that can lead people away from spiritual integrity. It highlights the ultimate emptiness of putting our trust in material possessions instead of in God.¹ God wants us to trust in Him, not in the things of this world.

Interpretive commentaries, like the one from John Gill, point out that cinnamon was historically used for delight, pleasure, and perfuming. They draw a parallel to its mention back in Proverbs 7:17, in that context of seduction.¹⁵ In a more mystical or allegorical way of understanding, this connection is extended to mean the moral and financial corruption of “Babylon” (which commentators often see as representing Rome, with its vast empire and sometimes decadent ways).¹⁵ Some commentators, like Brightman, even suggested that the “cinnamon, odours, and frankincense” listed might be hinting at their misuse in church settings within the corrupt system of Babylon. This points to religious institutions that had become too tangled up with worldly power and wealth.¹⁵ That’s a warning for all of us to keep our focus on God.

The appearance of cinnamon in Revelation 18 gives us a powerful theological contrast to its sacred use back in Exodus 30. In Exodus, it’s divinely commanded for holy purposes, set apart for God. In Revelation, it’s an emblem of a condemned worldly system. This doesn’t mean cinnamon itself is inherently good or bad. What it shows us is that even materials God designated for holy use can be taken over by and become symbolic of corrupt, worldly systems that stand against God’s kingdom. The natural value or pleasantness of something doesn’t stop it from being misused. It’s all about the heart and the intention.

The long list of goods in Revelation 18, including cinnamon brought in from the East, really grounds this apocalyptic imagery in the actual economic realities of the Roman Empire, which was the dominant world power when the Book of Revelation was written. This makes the critique of materialism and exploitation even more powerful because it reflected the real trade and luxuries of that time. The grouping of cinnamon with other items often used in worship—spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense—further strengthens the critique if these are seen as being twisted by Babylon’s worldliness. Perhaps it’s a warning against religious practices that care more about outward show and wealth than genuine spiritual purity. God looks at the heart!

What Did the Early Church Fathers Teach About Cinnamon or Related Sacred Spices?

Although we don’t find tons of direct, detailed commentaries specifically on cinnamon from the major Church Fathers in easily available summaries, their general way of looking at Old Testament ritual elements, including sacred spices, gives us some wonderful understanding. The Church Fathers typically looked for Christ-centered meanings or deeper spiritual truths in these Old Testament practices. They saw them through the lens of how they were fulfilled in the New Covenant, in Jesus! 18

Typological Interpretations of Anointing Oil Spices:

Early Christian thought, and the traditions that grew from it, often interpreted the ingredients of the holy anointing oil typologically. This means they saw these Old Testament elements as “types” or foreshadowings of Christ, the Holy Spirit, or aspects of our Christian life. For instance, one later interpretation that reflects this typological approach suggests the three main spices—myrrh, calamus, and cinnamon—could represent the three persons of the Trinity, or maybe God, angels, and with the oil itself symbolizing the Holy Spirit living in believers.¹⁹ while this specific example isn’t directly from a famous early Father, it shows us the kind of symbolic thinking they used. They were always looking for Jesus in the scriptures!

Significance of Fragrance and Intention in Worship:

St. John Chrysostom, a very influential Church Father from the 4th century, shared some important insights about offerings.

• When he talked about an Old Testament offering for a woman suspected of adultery, which specifically didn’t include oil and frankincense, Chrysostom noted that their absence signified a situation of pain and disaster.²⁰ This implies that when fragrant elements like oil, frankincense (and by extension, cinnamon in other holy contexts) were present, it would typically signify blessing, joy, and God’s acceptance. God loves a joyful, fragrant offering from the heart!
• And this is so important, friends: Chrysostom emphasized that God looks primarily at the intention and spiritual state of the worshipper, not just at the material gift itself. He argued that incense (and other fragrant offerings) could become an “abomination” to God if offered with an impure heart or by people whom God had rejected because of their disobedience.²¹ This principle is absolutely vital: the spiritual value of spices like cinnamon in worship depends on the heart of the person offering them. The spice itself has no magic power; its significance comes from its God-ordained use and the faithful heart of the one participating. It’s always about the heart!

Liturgical Continuity and Holy Chrism:

The early Church continued the practice of using sacred, fragrant oils in its ceremonies, most notably Holy Chrism.

• One “early church writer” (quoted in a modern source) beautifully described the perfume of chrism—which historically included myrrh and sometimes cinnamon or similar aromatics—as “the Easter-smell, God’s grace olfactorally incarnate!”.²² Wow! That highlights an early recognition of the symbolic power of fragrance in Christian sacraments. They understood that our senses can connect us to God’s grace.
• The same source notes that myrrh, along with cinnamon, were principal ingredients in the holy anointing oil used by Moses. This directly links Old Testament practice to later Christian sacramental oils used in rites like baptism, confirmation, and ordination.²² This shows a sacramental worldview where physical elements, divinely approved, can be channels or powerful symbols of divine grace and spiritual realities. God can use the physical to touch the spiritual!

Interpretations of Song of Solomon:

The Song of Solomon, where cinnamon is listed as a precious spice 1, was often interpreted allegorically by the Church Fathers. They generally saw it as picturing God’s deep love for Israel, or, more commonly, Christ’s amazing love for the Church – for us! Within this understanding, the precious spices mentioned, including cinnamon, would contribute to the richness and beauty of this divine love. They would symbolize the preciousness and delight of the relationship between God/Christ and His beloved people. What a beautiful picture of God’s love for you!

A Note of Caution:

It’s also good to remember a point of caution from a discussion about the mythical phoenix. While cinnamon is often mentioned in various ancient traditions of the phoenix myth, Clement of Rome, an early Apostolic Father, only named frankincense and myrrh in his retelling.²³ This suggests that not every possible symbolic connection was made by every Church Father. We should be careful not to assume highly specific or universal symbolic meanings for cinnamon across all their writings unless they explicitly said so.

The Church Fathers approached Old Testament elements like the anointing oil spices with a way of understanding that looked for their fulfillment in Christ and the New Covenant. Their emphasis on the worshipper’s intention gives us a critical lens for understanding the true significance of any ritual element. The early Church’s adoption of fragrant oils like Chrism for sacraments shows a continuity of understanding that God can use physical, sensory elements to impart spiritual meaning and grace. God is so good to meet us in ways we can understand and experience!

Has Cinnamon Featured in Christian Worship and Liturgy Historically?

Yes, absolutely! Cinnamon, or at least the beautiful tradition of using fragrant spices as God instructed in Exodus, has been a part of Christian worship and liturgy. Most notably, we see it in the preparation and use of Holy Chrism. God’s instructions have a way of carrying through the ages!

Holy Chrism (Sacred Anointing Oil):

This is the most direct and major way it has continued.

• Eastern Orthodox Church: The Holy Chrism is a sacred oil that is consecrated by the Ecumenical Patriarch (or the head of an autocephalous church), usually on Holy Thursday. And guess what? Its recipe is intentionally based on the instructions God gave to Moses in Exodus 30:23-24. It explicitly includes “sweet-smelling cinnamon” along with other fragrant essences and olive oil.²⁴ This Chrism is used for the sacrament of Chrismation (which comes after baptism), anointing people to receive the “seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The use of Chrism goes all the way back to early Christianity, with the oldest recorded list of its materials (which they still use today!) coming from the 8th century.²⁵ that shows a remarkable and unbroken liturgical continuity, spanning thousands of years! God’s ways endure!
• Catholic Church: In a similar way, in the Catholic tradition, Chrism is a sacred oil blessed by the bishop during Holy Week (at the Chrism Mass). It’s used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders (when priests and bishops are ordained), and also for consecrating new churches and altars.²² Historical recipes for Chrism have also included fragrant spices, and some early Church writers explicitly linked its use back to the anointing oil of Moses, which, as we know, contained cinnamon and myrrh.²² The distinct aroma of Chrism when it’s used in these ceremonies is considered very major. One early writer even described it as “the Easter-smell, God’s grace olfactorally incarnate!”.²² What a powerful thought – smelling the grace of God!

The continued and explicit use of cinnamon (or a blend of similar precious aromatics based on that Exodus formula) in Holy Chrism by these major branches of Christianity really highlights a deep respect for scriptural precedent in foundational Christian rituals. They are honoring God’s Word!

Incense:

While frankincense and myrrh are more famously known as the main ingredients in incense, cinnamon’s powerful and pleasant aromatic qualities make it a wonderful component for incense blends.

• Revelation 18:13 lists “cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense” all together as valuable commodities.¹ Some commentators have interpreted this grouping as possibly referring to items that could be used in “perfumings and censings used in churches.” This implies cinnamon might have been part of such mixtures, even if it was within the context of that “Babylonian” system being critiqued.¹⁵
• Although It’s not always part of mainstream church liturgy recipes, some historical and modern spiritual practices (outside of formal church services) include cinnamon in incense or smudging blends for purposes like purification, protection, and bringing spiritual clarity.²⁶ One source even gives an incense recipe that includes cinnamon along with frankincense, sandalwood, and juniper berries.²⁷

Symbolic Presence in Other Rituals/Items:

• Kollyva (Eastern Orthodox Tradition): Cinnamon is often an ingredient in Kollyva. This is a sweet dish made mainly from boiled wheat kernels, mixed with ingredients like raisins, nuts, pomegranate seeds, sugar, and spices, including cinnamon.²⁸ Kollyva is prepared for memorial services for those who have passed on, and it’s rich in symbolism. The wheat represents death and resurrection (like a seed that “dies” to bring new life), and the sweetness (including that from cinnamon) can symbolize the sweetness of eternal life or the sweet memory of the loved one. It’s often shaped like a mound to look like a grave and decorated with a cross.²⁸ Here, cinnamon contributes to a ritual food that carries deep meaning related to remembrance, grief, and the wonderful Christian hope of resurrection. Even in sorrow, there is sweetness and hope in God!

The olfactory dimension of worship—that intentional use of fragrant spices like cinnamon in chrism and potentially in some incense traditions—is so major, friends. It suggests that Christian spirituality, historically, has sought to engage multiple senses. This aims to create a whole experience of the sacred that isn’t just intellectual or doctrinal also experiential, emotionally resonant, and capable of evoking a tangible sense of God’s presence and His blessing. God wants to meet us in every part of our being!

Cinnamon points beyond itself. Its fragrance, its historical value, and its diverse uses in sacred contexts become lenses through which we can contemplate the holiness of God, the preciousness of Christ’s sacrifice, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and the powerful nature of true worship. It is not the spice itself that is worshipped the God who ordained its use and the spiritual realities it has come to signify. This complexity and layered nature are what give cinnamon its lasting relevance in the Christian spiritual imagination. God is so good, and He can use even a simple spice to teach us powerful truths! Believe that today!