What Smells So Good? Advent Thought for Today

Last night I spent the evening looking up my favorite recipes for December.  The traditional ones that everyone expects, my personal favorites and all the new ones I've found on Pinterest through the year.  Then I made a shopping list of ingredients.  Once I choke down how much it all costs at the grocery store, I'll be good to go.  I love the foods of Christmas.  All the wonderful smells and tastes.  Having containers full of cookies and a fridge busting with cheese, crackers and summer sausage - not to mention hot dip ingredients to whip up with little notice is very satisfying to me.  Want to drop by sometime?  After today I will be ready for you!  Hopefully the house will smell of mint, cinnamon and sugar cookies.

Did you know that smells are part of the Christmas story and Jesus' earthly life too?   Two of the gifts the Magi brought were to invoke emotional significance. Jesus' friend Mary poured out expensive fragrance to prepare Jesus for burial.  This was a gift to Jesus from Mary that spoke of her great love for Him.

Every year I read the following words from Thomas Kinkade and every year I'm challenged to smell good. He says it better than I could:

"Surely this was part of what the apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote that we, Jesus' followers, are supposed to be the fragrance of Christ in the world.  We are to live in such a way that the lovely aroma of His love floats through the air around us, attracting others by its evocative power.

Now that's an interesting thought for this Christmas season!  Can you imagine your life being as irresistible to others as the smell of bread baking...of Christmas trees...of candles and all those other Christmas smellls?  Can you imagine the fragrance of your life writing a signature of God's love in your own home, in your workplace, in your world?

It's something worth thinking about as you go about your pre-Christmas busyness.  This Advent season, in the midst of all your preparations, don't forget to breathe deeply.  Sniff for the scent of frankincense and myrrh so you can recognize the signature of God's love in your life.

And then think how you could live today so that God's signature fragrance of divine eternal love wafts gently and irresistibly toward everyone you meet."

Our attitudes can really reek.  Especially what comes out of our mouths.  Complaining and bitterness and stressing out can give off a stinky smell.  But joy, excitement, hope and forgiveness can be intoxicating.  It's our choice.  Let's choose the aroma of Christ.  Two weeks into Advent, hope you are enjoying every day.  Spread the joy and smell to everyone you meet.

To quote two of my family's favorite Christmas movies....do you smell like "beef and cheese" (Elf) or like a "cookie" (Santa Clause 3)?  haha!

Quote from Christ, Light of the World