I know. It's a weird title. However, it is the scent that makes me the happiest right now. I debated for weeks whether or not to get a tree and finally decided that I really wanted one, even if I could only have it for 2 weeks. I'm one of those people who recognizes things by smells. My grandma's house. The rain. The mall. Any place I go has a certain smell to it and it brings back memories. Sometimes I'll be walking along and I'll smell something and it's so familiar, but I can't place it. Whether it is something good or bad I'm reminded of, I remember by smell. What's the purpose of such a weird blog? Well, every day when I get home and every night before I go to sleep I sniff my tree and it makes me smile. It does more than make me smile though. It reminds me of what Christmas is about.
CHRISTmas is more than presents and running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. CHRISTmas is more than decorating your house and trying to make it look better than the neighbors'. CHRISTmas is more than the good food and eating until you can't breathe. CHRISTmas is about Christ, Jesus, God come to earth. The Bible tells us that "[T]here has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). That is what this season is about every year. Celebrating the birth of a Savior, Messiah, and Lord.
The most detailed account of the virgin birth of Jesus is found in the Gospel of Luke. On the surface this doesn't seem like a significant piece of data. But we need to delve a little further. What is the importance of Luke having the most detailed account of the virgin birth? Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14). Everything he knew and had been taught went against the possibility of a virgin birth. I'm sure there were many textbook defying things he encountered in his life, but the most mind boggling would be the virgin birth of a Savior. What's more is that Luke didn't just accept what he had heard from others. He was just like the rest of us and he researched and questioned until he found the answers he was looking for. In the Luke 1:1-4 it says, "So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story's beginning, I have decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so that you may know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught." Luke searched for the answers and tested the things he had heard concerning Christ. But Luke went beyond the research and did what any disciple of Jesus would do. Once he found out that all he had heard was true, he wrote it all out so that others (Theophilus was his main audience) would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that everything they had heard was true. He wanted others to know the same truth he had discovered.
How true this needs to be of us during this season. A lot of us have heard the story of Jesus' birth over and over again. It's time now to discover for ourselves what the Word of God says about the birth of Christ. We can listen and listen to the story of Christ's birth again and again, but until we read it for ourselves and really dissect what it means then it will just remain a story. Jesus' birth was not an accident. It was planned by God before the foundation of the earth was laid. From the beginning of time men were prophesying about the coming Messiah. And today, more than 2,000 years after the birth and death of Christ, we are still marvelling at the wonder of it. How could a God so big, become so small to save every human on earth? It is more than our minds can comprehend, but as long as we walk by faith and seek God and the truth for ourselves we can know the love of Christ. As we learn about the love of God and what He has done for us, and as we follow in His footsteps, then we too can carry the smell of Christmas (Ephesians 5:2; 2 Corinthians 2:14).
See the virgin is delivered
In a cold and crowded stall
Mirror of the Father's glory
Lies beside her in the straw
He is mercy's incarnation
Marvel at this miracle
For the virgin gently holds
The Glorious Impossible
Love has come to walk on water
Turn the water into wine
Touch the leper, bless the children
Love both human and divine
Praise the wisdom of the Father
Who has spoken through His Son
Speaking still, He calls us to
The Glorious Impossible
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Glorious Impossible
He was bruised for our transgressions
And He bears eternal scars
He was raised for our salvation
And His righteousness is ours
Praise, oh, praise Him, praise the glory
Of this lavish grace so full
Lift your souls now and receive
The Glorious Impossible
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Glorious Impossible
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Glorious Impossible, Glorious Impossible
Praise, oh, praise Him, praise the glory
Of this lavish grace so full
Lift your souls now and receive
The Glorious Impossible
~Glorious Impossible by Carl Cartee~
