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DEVOTION//MMM! MMM! Good!

DEVOTION//MMM! MMM! Good!

Devotions, Blog

Special aromas

Each year around December 22, many Chinese celebrate their Dongzhi Festival. Traditionally the "food of the day" is rice dumplings . . . or as Wikipedia describes them "balls of glutinous rice."  Somehow that description doesn't make my mouth water. How about you?

Regardless if you are looking forward to eating "balls of glutinous rice," we all know how traditional foods make our mouths water. Maybe for you it's the smell of Thanksgiving turkey. Or Christmas ham. Or Grandma's apple pie.

Dongzhi Festival traditions

  • celebrating the Winter solstice

  • enjoying family meals featuring rice dumplings or wontons

  • burning incense

  • admiring the stars

  • worshiping ancestors

  • cleaning around the tomb of family members

  • counting the Nines of Winter (spring is thought to come after nine periods of nine days)

Christmas traditions

The Dongzhi Festival coincides with the time we celebrate our Christmas traditions.  Westerners enjoy lots of family traditions as well.  Watch a series of Hallmark Christmas movies -- you'll see them in film after film.

  • decking our homes with lights

  • enjoying special family meals

  • decorating Christmas trees

  • hanging Christmas stockings

  • listening to seasonal music and singing carols

  • worshiping at your church

Family traditions can bring great joy . . . especially those that celebrate our Savior Jesus -- the reason for the season.

Aromas activate memories

Researchers have long known that familiar smells trigger memories. We smile inwardly at the aroma of that Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham. Paul reminds us that God's people are used by him to spread the life-giving aroma of Jesus everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14).  Even more, in verse 15, Paul writes that "we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved." God loves the aromas of the sacrifices his people make to him from pure hearts. The Old Testament book of Numbers speaks of this repeatedly (for example, Numbers 15:2-4).  

This Christmas may your traditions and festivities be filled with the sweet, life-giving aroma that draws your family, friends, and neighbors to ponder the miracle of the Christ child.

And do not forget the millions in the world who desperately need to meet Jesus for the first time. Pray for these people and for the work of 316NOW to share this life-giving message. Your prayers and gifts -- through the work of the Spirit -- make a difference.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus! Amen.