My younger sister gave us a candle while we were with them at Thanksgiving. She said “light it when you are wrapping gifts or decorating for Christmas.” She knew that the aroma would release great memories of Christmas. I wasn’t surprised when it did just that as I relit it this morning before I started my day’s to do list of cleaning, laundry, wrapping gifts and preparing more cards to mail.

And, this week, we got the funniest text from one of John’s sisters. She wrote “Your package arrived safely. I will happily play 🤶🏻 and hand your gifts out! Thanks for the yearly “smelly” box😁.” I should probably explain.

My in-laws gave out bayberry candles each Christmas and reminded us to burn them on New Years. There was a poem that went with the gift “Bayberry candles burned to the socket bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket.” One year, my mother-in-law shared with me that it was harder and harder for them to get and to send out the bayberry candles. I told her that we would take on the gifting and we have. We send candles (or gift cards to those for whom the scent of bayberry is a problem) each year to family members. My sister-in-law had received our “smelly box” with candles for her and her family.

Some scents open our mind’s memories – good and bad. The odor of mold reminds me of the flooding of our home. The scent of wet canvass or bug spray brings up great memories of family vacations. Sunscreen means the beach. And Old Spice reminds me of Poppa and of John.

The Bible mentions many aromatic spices; two of which were brought by the magi as gifts for baby Jesus: frankincense and myrrh.

And, Christians, the Bible tells us that “we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-17) So when a non-believer tells you that to them your ideas or beliefs stink, they are being honest. Don’t let it get to you.

Want to welcome guests to your home this holiday season? Light a candle or put some chocolate cookie dough to bake in the oven. If they aren’t allergic, they will be happy. If they are allergic – don’t do it!

Better yet, why not be pleasant, be welcoming, be loving? The love of God can shine through us if we allow it. The hope of Christ can be “an aroma that brings life.” We can make a difference in this hurting world. We can bring comfort to those who mourn, hope to those who are overwhelmed and redemption to those who live in darkness.

Earlier this week I heard an interview with a modern, secular singer. I know nothing about the singer’s life nor music. But I began to smell the aroma of Christ when I heard this exchange:

Interviewer: “So you believe that Jesus was a man who actually lived?” Singer: “Yes.”

Interviewer: “And you think that Jesus, this man, did miracles and was God?” Singer: “Yes”

Interviewer: “Wouldn’t that be cool; to see Him do miracles and to think that He was God?” Singer: “I can introduce you to Him.”

Outstanding idea!

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)