Take a moment to think of some Christmas smells! Yep, that’s right, Christmas smells. Candy Cane. Christmas Tree. Hot Apple Cider. Even the brisk December air seems to have a particular smell. What about the smell of wrapping paper? Have you ever had the experience when a scent brings back memories of Christmas pasts? Perhaps they are of the people you were celebrating with, the places you went, and most likely, the emotions you felt. Aromas really do have a powerful way of eliciting a strong response in our minds and hearts.
It struck me recently that God prescribed a scent, an aroma that undoubtedly would be associated with Himself. In Exodus chapter 30, God is giving Moses instructions for the making of the Tabernacle and the long list of worship elements that would be necessary there. Two of those elements were the anointing oil and the incense, both of which had unique and specific recipes that were expressly prescribed to be only used for His worship. If anyone were to make these items for their own pleasure, they were to be cut off from the nation of Israel.
I imagined myself approaching the Tabernacle, or standing along a path as one of the priests who was consecrated with the sacred oil pass by. They would have the unique scent on them as a sign of their consecration and the fact that they had been prepared to be in God’s presence. That smell would represent the presence of God!
The beautiful thing to behold is that God has done something far more wonderful than create His own perfume to announce his presence in the world. He has redeemed a nation of priests through his Son’s atoning work on the cross who all have the aroma of God.
"For 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. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God." - 2 Corinthians 2:15-17
So, as we go about our routines this year, let us all be aware that we are the aroma of God to the world, and, a pleasing aroma to God. Let our worship permeate the season, and indeed the whole world!
Chris
BCC, Childrens Pastor