That Smell

Leigh and Drew Helveston have been members of Cove Church for the past 3 years. Drew serves as a small group leader for 8^th grade boys, and Leigh works with 7^th grade girls. The Helvestons are active in a C-group and have 2 children, Mac and Zoe.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.  - Luke 2:6-7

Balsam and Cedar, Red Apple Wreath, Christmas Cookie, Home for the Holidays, Sparkling Snow, and Christmas Eve: these are the different scented candles that the company Yankee Candle has to offer.  Chances are you have enjoyed one of these scents.  They are supposed to capture the different aromas that represent Christmas.  Its funny how I can walk past a candle and instantly think about spending time at my grandmother’s house.  The house would be packed with family running around, parents cooking food, and a feeling of warmth and love.  All I have to do is smell a little bit of cinnamon mixed with the smell of a fresh Christmas tree and my mind takes me to that place.  The simple scent makes me think of Christmas. 

Unfortunately, I have to think that Mary and Joseph have a different idea of what Christmas smells like.  A long day of traveling, sweaty and tired, they searched for a place to stay the night.  There was no room at the inns because the Roman Emperor wanted to take a census for tax paying purposes.  They were not offered to stay in the premium room with the scent of Red Apple Wreath. The only place they could find was in the stables with the animals.  The scent of a long day, manure, and animals probably littered the air with a stench that was pretty strong.  Jesus himself was wrapped in a manger where animals had probably been recently eating.  As a proud parent of two beautiful children, I would like to think that on that night, Mary and Joseph did not care about the smell.  They just wanted a healthy baby.

So this holiday season, I am going to enjoy the wonderful aromas of Christmas.  I am going to enjoy the scents of the trees, food, and candles.  But each time I do, may it be the one thing that makes me think about that brave couple walking in Bethlehem looking for a place to stay, a couple that was faithful and true to God and one which was blessed by God.  The story of Christmas is and will always be about the glorious birth of Jesus, but my hope is that next time you smell these scents, that you will take time to think about that night in Bethlehem and the hardships that Mary and Joseph endured.