The word 'grotto' is derived from the Greek krypte, which means crypt or vault. The ancient Greeks often saw caves as entrances to the kingdom of Hades, but they also worshipped nymphs in them, especially when a spring issued forth from a cave. Grottos in Western gardens are descended from these natural nymphaea. By the time that Jesus was born, two traditions had evolved: grottos could be naturalistic caves, or they could be architectural on the exterior with interiors which were encrusted with rocks and shells. Imperial Romans created both kinds of grottos in their gardens, and this tradition was revived during the Renaissance.
I feel that a naturalistic grotto would be more appropriate for a Christian Bible garden. It should remind Christians of the tomb that Jesus was buried in, but it may also remind them of the stable that Jesus was born in. A tradition going back to the second century has identified a cave in Bethlehem as that stable.
Grottos dedicated to the Virgin Mary are very popular among Roman Catholics. I am not sure if there is a theological reason for these grottos or if they are just a natural expression of the sense of sacred mystery which humans have always connected with caves. The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother in Portland, Oregon has a good example of this sort of grotto.
I think that it would be best if a grotto in a Bible garden didn't contain any sculpture. A statue of the Virgin Mary might be very meaningful to Roman Catholics, but an empty grotto would be more likely to inspire meditations on both the birth of Jesus and his resurrection. It would probably be best for the grotto to just contain a simple stone bench and nothing else.
My aunt and uncle's old house had a backyard in which there was a flat area next to the house, but most of the backyard was a hillside. I am picturing a grape arbor next to the house, and a grotto could be carved into the hillside with a wooden cross erected above the entrance. The flat area could be planted with herbs and flowers and the hillside planted with trees and shrubs. The effect could be unpretentious and naturalistic, but each of the plants would be connected with the Bible in some way.
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