During the Christmas season we not only enjoy the beautiful lights of Christmas, we also enjoy the smells of Christmas. If we have a fresh cut Christmas tree, we can smell the fragrance of the tree when we walk into the house.

There is also the smell of the holiday-scented candles or spicy fragrances of potpourri when we come into a room, or the smell of wood burning in the fireplace. We love the smells of the delicious cookies, candy, and foods prepared in the kitchen, especially during the Christmas season.

Paul tells us in II Corinthians 2:15, 16, “As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved around us. To those who are not being saved, we seem a fearful smell of death and doom, while to those who know Christ we are a life-giving perfume.” If Christ lives within you, you have the sweet, wholesome fragrance of Christ. Do you have the sweet, wholesome fragrance of Christ in your life?

After several weeks, the strong pine tree fragrance diminishes when the tree gets dry and does not have enough nourishment. Very often, we get busy with life and its challenges and our spiritual nourishment diminishes. Has the sweet wholesome fragrance of Christ diminished in your life? Give God a gift of renewing your heart with His Word so you will leave a life-giving perfume to your friends and family this Christmas.

Reflect on the fragrance you are releasing to others when you smell the difference fragrances of Christmas this year. Is it the fragrance of Christ living within you?

Share with your grandchildren about the fragrances of Christmas reminding us of God’s life-giving perfume within us when we have a relationship with Him.

• Pray for your grandchildren to have a sweet, wholesome fragrance of Christ within them.

• Pray your grandchildren will release the sweet wholesome fragrance of Christ to their family and friends.

I have really enjoyed reading Casey Schutrop’s book, “Grandma’s Christmas Legacy, The Testimony Of The Tree” I think you will too. This book provides excellent Christmas reading and a memory maker for families to share and pass on for generations to come.   You may purchase this book on our Christian Grandparenting website.

©2009Lillian Penner