The Fragrance of Jesus at Your Table
Mary's gift is an inspiration toward more Presence this Christmas.
⬆️⬆️ Prefer voice? Listen to the end to soak in a prayer for you.
Scents Trigger Memories
It’s incredible, isn’t it, how you can smell something and it brings you to a memory or a feeling, even?
I thought of this when reading John 121.
Martha and Mary prepared a meal to honor Jesus. Lazarus had just been resurrected so joy and celebration is a given. He was feeling a little more than thankful.
It mentions that they reclined at the table. They were at rest. It was a peaceful place to be. They were lingering.
And then, Mary comes with a year’s worth of wages in pure nard (a cousin to lavender, I once heard) and anointed her beloved Jesus; pouring it on His feet.
Wiping His feet with her hair.
The house was filled with the fragrance.
Imagine with me, that during the following week, leading up to the crucifixion, Mary had the constant fragrant reminder of Jesus.
The scent of her hair saturating her every breath. Her sleep even, with the memory of being in His presence.
I wonder if every time thereafter when Mary smelled pure nard, it took her back to the moment of Jesus receiving her gift. Being in His presence. Don’t you think so?
What if you had a fragrance that reminded you this vividly of Jesus? Instantly took you to a place of Rest and Peace.
What if you attached a specific scent to your invitation to Jesus at your table, this Christmas?
Paralleling John 12, in your home?
Christmas dinner is a meal that we have to honor Him.
Like Mary and Martha.
To be thankful for our Lord coming to us as a baby, yes, but ultimately, thankful that He resurrected us from a life that was dead.
Like Lazarus.
Recline at your table, lingering, to be in His presence. Enveloped in the fragrance of His goodness, Peace, and rest.
Like they did at the table in Bethany.
Do you associate a fragrance with Jesus’ presence?
What fragrance could you associate with Him?
I don’t have one yet but I want one. This Christmas I am going to start the association. A comfort scent that takes me to His presence.
Join me?
Cinnamon is ubiquitous to many Christmas traditions - mulled apple cider, cinnamon rolls (my fave), even cinnamon ornaments. We could intentionally pair cinnamon with our Christmas meals and our reading of the Christmas story or activities that find us in His presence at our table.
To build the association.
So that when you smell cinnamon at your house, you are taken back to His presence. A reminder of His goodness, peace, and rest.
Adding to how you feel when you sit down at your table.
You usually don’t remember place settings or centerpieces but you do remember how you felt when you pulled up a chair.
Even in the chaos of littles or mumbles from teens, it is the place where your family meets. And knows that they are welcome to come as they are.
Add a fragrance trigger to the memory of His presence at your table. And be reminded of His warmth now, and again.
If not cinnamon, lavender was Mary’s memory. Options are endless. And ways of pairing a scent to a meal or Christmas activity around your table, limitless.
Two Easy Ideas to Fill Your House with Fragrance
Winter Warm-up: Mulled tea
A little starter for you
Steep your tea as normal but also add a cinnamon stick and a few whole cloves.
Alternatively, add a pinch of lavender buds, rubbing them between your fingers first to release the essential oils.
Strain before sipping.
Infuse Your Kitchen:
If you just want the fragrance
Simmer a cinnamon stick and a few cloves in water for 5-10 minutes then turn off the heating element, leaving the pot on the stove to infuse your kitchen.
Optional add-ins: orange slices, nutmeg, and/or allspice.
The lavender buds can simply be rubbed and left in an open dish to enjoy the fragrance.
Do you already have a scent that reminds you of Jesus? If not cinnamon or lavender, what could your scent be?
Share your idea in the comments. We are cheering each other on to have more Peace and rest at our tables. Your idea could inspire another.
I pray your Christmas season is filled with the fragrance of Jesus.
And that it is attractive. Inviting you and your family into a deeper presence of the One who brings Peace and Rest to your table. And nourishment for your soul.
Thank you for pulling up a chair to the Contented Table. I am so glad you came. Invite a friend for next time. There is always room for one more.
Until then,
A gentle reminder,
God wants you to know:
I see you, I hear you, I love you.
Jane
Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12: 2-3 NIV
My wheels are already churning on different scents we could use - or baked goods I could continually prepare - so that my children would always be reminded of the gift of Jesus and this holiday season when they smell it. Thank you for sharing!
Oh, Jane, this is so beautiful--I'm smiling as I read it. I will definitely be thinking of pairing something this season to remind of the fragrance of Jesus. I like the cinnamon idea.
Interestingly we were at a special service last night at a new church and sang these lyrics:
"Day and night, night and day
Let incense arise."
The fragrance symbolizes our prayer and worship both.
Your post is a sacred echo of that idea--thank you!