The Scent Of Christmas

Thursday, December 4, 2014
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Go Tell It On The Mountain"1 (Lyrics)

It started with a tiny hand — a hand outstretched and holding a miniature bar of goat milk soap.

Of all the different fragrances offered on the vendor's autumn display table that sales day, my petite, five-year-old niece, Izzie, was adamant about purchasing this one particular bar of soap. She held her new-found treasure out to me. So, taking the bar from her hand, I lifted it to my nose. It had a scent unfamiliar to me — a somewhat odd scent and certainly not one a child would normally choose. But, choose it she did! And, as it turned out, the child did not have an odd sense of smell — not at all. She just wanted to smell like Christmas, and bath in the fragrance of frankincense and myrrh — the very fragrances the wise men had given the baby Jesus.

Matthew 2:11 – And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (KJV)

After her bath that night, Izzie stood before me wrapped in a towel and asking, "How do I smell?" And of course, I gave her my best smile and said, "Why, you smell like Christmas!" She was delighted as she marched off to bed.

When I say, "It started," I am speaking of that one simple hint that comes in a very personal way to remind me that the time of adoration had come — Advent is here! This year, the simple hint came when Izzie handed me a little bar of goat milk soap that smelled of frankincense and myrrh. How she knew, I do not know!

Dearest ones, once again, the season of peace on earth and goodwill to men has begun. Once again, we open our Bibles to read of the shepherds and how they spoke of seeing and hearing the army of heavenly hosts light up the night sky with praises to God. And once again, we are reminded of the young mother, Mary, who listened to those shepherds:

Luke 2:19 – But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (KJV)

I say, "Once again," but each time we read of His birth, it seems brand new! And what a beautiful thing to be given a season — not just one day — to look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus our Lord — the birth of our Saviour!

Prayer: Father, we just want to thank You for our Lord Jesus and for this season in which we celebrate His birth. With hearts full of joy, we thank You for birthing love and grace into this world. We thank You, for unto us a King is born! Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook

About the author:

Sandra Kay Taylor <marthaclone31@aol.com>
Westminster, South Carolina, USA

Send your feedback to the author

1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    This is a sweet story.


    A good seasonal reminder Sandra.


    Wonderful! Thank you so much. God bless.


    Very beautiful Sandy. Thank you so much and may that scent linger for you a very long while.


    Love this. Now if I could only find this soap I would buy a bunch of it.
    Thank you!


    Sandra, Thank you for a lovely devotional. It is so true that often a little child will lead us to paths of righteousness.
    May the Lord richly bless you this Christmas Season.
    (California)


    What a wonderful story and a memory you will keep forever, Sandra. Furthermore, you blended your story and the scripture beautifully. Our granddaughter once told me, “You are old but you are lovely.” It has become a staple in our family stories.
    Thank you, Sandra.
    (Texas)


    A lovely read Sandra. Thanks for sharing this thought.


    Dear Ms. Taylor,
    Thank you and God bless you for this wonderful devotional. It touches my heart deeply.


    Hello Sandra,
    I came across your article today in looking for a devotional for our Christmas newsletter. I would like to reprint your submission titled “The Scent of Christmas” which appeared on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional website on December 4, 2014.
    Thank you so much.

Previous Post
«
 



PresbyCan is a community of faithful, Holy Spirit-filled, Christ-centred, God-honouring Christians.