The Senses of Christmas

The past several years, I’ve really tried to slow my pace during the Christmas holiday season and really try to savor and enjoy it. One of the things that I’ve reintroduced into my holiday break is to read books, particularly holiday-themed ones. A few Christmases ago, I read a wonderful book, The Christmas Box, which gave me an idea for a blog post about engaging our five senses at Christmastime and elsewhere. I made note of it in my notes app on my phone, and just recently I was reminded of it. Therefore, today I’d like to share some insights on the senses of Christmas.

An inspiration…

In The Christmas Box (which is a bit of a tearjerker by the way), there’s a scene where one of the characters is asking an elderly widow about which of the five senses she thought was most affected by Christmas. Her response was,

“I love everything about this season,” she continued. “But I think what I love the most about Christmas are its sounds. The bells of street-corner Santa Clauses, the familiar Christmas records on the phonograph, the sweet, untuned voices of Christmas carolers. And the bustling downtown noises. The crisp crinkle of wrapping paper and department store sacks and the cheerful Christmas greetings of strangers. And then there are the Christmas stories. The wisdom of Dickens and all Christmas story-tellers.” She seemed to pause for emphasis. “I love the sounds of this season. Even the sounds of this old house take on a different character at Christmas. These Victorian ladies seem to have a spirit all their own.”^[1]

This description got my mind reeling about my own experiences at Christmas based on my five senses. I tried to answer the same question about which of the five senses I thought was most affected by Christmas. Honestly, I couldn’t narrow it down to just one. They are ALL affected!

Sounds of Christmas

When I think of the sounds of Christmas several things come to mind, much like those stated in the book excerpt. My favorite sound, obviously, would be that of Christmas music and carols. I seriously get giddy like a child when it’s time to break out the Christmas music! More annoyingly, I think of those repetitive holiday commercials. Then there is the collection of Hallmark Christmas ornaments that my kids play over and over by repetitively pushing the buttons on each and every one…every…single…day (I secretly enjoy this though, ssshh).

I also love the sounds of jingle bells, Salvation Army bell ringers at the stores, and Christmas stories (including THE Christmas Story). There’s also the chatty banter at family get-togethers. Finally, I can’t forget the hustle and bustle of shoppers (which can now often be avoided with online shopping!).

Sights of Christmas

The sights of Christmas are some of my favorite senses to engage. I love, love, love the lights! We love to go out as a family gazing at the neighborhood lights in surrounding communities. A Christmas tree can be seen in nearly every room of our house—it’s a rule.

Decorations abound in our home too. This completely irritates Eric because he dreads the day when it’s time to trek up into the attic to drag out the countless boxes of décor. There’s just something about twinkling greenery wrapping around railings, banisters, mirrors, windows, and doorframes that gives the home such a festive, warm, fuzzy feeling!

And we can’t forget about the Christmas movies! You know my addiction to Hallmark Christmas movies!

Smells of Christmas

Oh, and who can forget the smells! My goodness…the cinnamon, oranges, cloves, nutmeg, peppermint, and pine. The smell of all the food…from the baked sweets, goodies, and gingerbreads to the savory smells of turkeys, hams, side dishes, or pastas or even warm mulled drinks wafting through the air. My mouth waters just thinking about it! I love the holiday scented candles and wax melts as well.

When Eric and I visited the Christmas markets in Europe, I remarked how I wish someone would invent a way to record the smells…much like we capture videos or pictures. I’d love to forever capture those smells of fresh fir trees, mulled wines, roasting and candied nuts, fresh gingerbreads, zemiakové placky or other potato pancakes, roasted meats, bratwurst, sauerkraut, and on and on!

Then there’s always the random nostalgic scents that take you back to certain locations or items…an old church, a grandparent’s home, plastic childhood toys, and so on.

Tastes of Christmas

The tastes of Christmas are NOT to be neglected either! I know this sense differs from region to region based on traditions and cultures of different foods and drinks. Traditional Christmas meals vary from family to family too. We have turkey and ham and all the fixings at my parents’; then at Eric’s family’s, we feast on Cajun gumbo.

Sweets are typically what come to mind when I think of Christmas tastes. Cherry cordials are a favorite of my family’s. Other candies also include candy canes, old-fashioned ribbon candies, peppermint chocolates, candied pecans, and caramels.

I always look forward to my mom’s baked goodies of which my favorites include magic bars, lemon squares, fudge, pecan sandies, and of course a variety of pies. Some of my own Christmas baking traditions include iced sugar cookies, shortbreads, a Bûche de Noël (yule log cake), and chocolate peppermint bark.

It’s the best time of year for yummy beverages too. There’s spiced cider, wassail, mulled wine, hot cocoa with marshmallows and whipped cream, and of course all the tasty flavored lattes (particularly my favorite—Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Latte). Eggnog is yummy too, but my mom despises it!

Touches of Christmas

Finally, there are the tactile touches and feels of Christmas. My fuzzy Christmas blankets immediately come to mind in addition to flannel, fleece, wool, and velvet. I associate prickly pine branches and pine cones with Christmastime. Additionally, the Christmas season brings a chill to our skin. In Oklahoma, we have snow on rare occasions, but we can still expect crisp, cold winter air.

Lastly, my favorite thing to feel during the season is the warmth of a fire in the fireplace. Actually, a fire engages so many of the senses…the feeling of warmth, the smell of the burning wood and chimneys, the sound of the crackling as it burns, and the glow and flicker of the flames and embers. The only thing missing is the taste–that is unless I roast a marshmallow in it!

 

I’ve merely hit on but a few of the many senses and experiences of each at Christmastime. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some things!

5 senses of the first Christmas, the Nativity

Thinking of the senses of Christmas brought to mind that there were senses during the first Christmas too, at Jesus’ birth, not all of which would have been wonderful sensations. In fact, some would have included some quite unpleasant experiences.

Sounds of the first Christmas

The sounds might have included the sounds of the animals surrounding the manger where Jesus was laid (which may have included some snorting, eating, and tromping). There might have also been the hustle and bustle of a busy city packed with visitors there for the census (Luke 2:1). Other sounds might have included those of a mother’s cries of pain while giving birth, the voice of an encouraging and comforting husband, the voice of an angelic messenger to the shepherds (Luke 2:10), the sounds of shepherd visitors (Luke 2:16), and the sounds of hosts of angels singing and praising God (Luke 2:13-14).

Sights of the first Christmas

To Mary, the sights would have comprised of less than desirable accommodations (Luke 2:7), probably some animals, but also the face of God in a child. The shepherds would have seen the light of the angel and the sky filled with angels (Luke 2:9-14) as well as the sight of Mary, Joseph, and the child just as they were told (Luke 2:15-16). Then the wise men saw the star that guided them to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-2).

Smells of the first Christmas

I’m sure the smells would have again included the animals and what we might imagine an animal-filled barn to smell like including urine, manure, hay, etc. (Luke 2:7). Another unpleasant odor might have been the smells of the shepherds, also smelling of animals and most probably body odor (Luke 2:15-16). More pleasantly we might associate the fragrant smells of the gifts of frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

Tastes of the first Christmas

It’s a little harder to imagine the tastes. However, having been around livestock, I can imagine there might be bits of dust and hay in the mouth staying in close quarters with animals. There would have also been the taste of a mother’s milk for her newborn child.

Feelings and Touches of the first Christmas

Finally, the feelings might be a little easier to envision. I’m sure it would have been an uncomfortable place for labor and delivery. Then of course we can’t forget (as no mother can) the pains of labor and delivery! Other tactile sensations would have included a mother’s hand, a baby’s warm and soft skin, a swaddling cloth, and instead of a nice soft crib, an animal feeding trough (Luke 2:7).

Take Some Practical Steps to Let the Senses of Christmas Inspire You to Engage Your Senses to Connect With God and the World Around You:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” 1 John 1:1-4 (NIV)

Let the senses be a trigger or a cue to remind you of God, remind you of his creation, remind you that He gave you these senses to enjoy the world around you, but also to connect you back to Him. Let your five senses also be used to point others toward God through your light, the way you sound and speak to others, your kind and comfort touch, being “salt”, and spreading the aroma of knowledge everywhere.

• SOUND: Experience the sound of God’s voice, the sounds of praise for God spreading His love, and the message of good news. What is God saying to you lately? Do you make a regular habit of speaking about God’s love and message of Christ?

“Ears to hear and eyes to see–both are gifts from the LORD.” Proverbs 20:12 (NLT)

“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Mark 4:23 (NLT)

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.” Matthew 13:16 (NLT)

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17 (NIV)

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!” Psalm 100:1 (ESV)

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord” Ephesians 5:19 (BSB)

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)

• SIGHT: Experience seeing God through the beauty of his creation. We can see God in the things around us. Do you see what God is doing around you? Are you a light to others?

“Ears to hear and eyes to see–both are gifts from the LORD.” Proverbs 20:12 (NLT)

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.” Matthew 13:16 (NLT)

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20 (NLT)

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40 (NIV)

““But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10 (NIV) 

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

• SMELL: Are you putting off a pleasant “aroma” to God and to those around you? Do you spread the knowledge and character of God like incense to those you encounter? Do you leave sense or a trace of God behind?

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NIV)

“As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations.” Ezekiel 20:41 (ESV)

“Yet they say to each other, ‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you!’ These people are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away.” Isaiah 65:5 (NLT)

• TASTE: Are you feeding yourself spiritual food on a regular, daily basis? Are you salty to those you encounter (NOT in the cranky, modern definition kind of way!)?

“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8 (NLT)

“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” Psalm 119:103 (NLT)

“who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—“ Hebrews 6:5 (NLT)

“now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” 1 Peter 2:3 (NLT)

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” Matthew 5:13 (NLT)

• TOUCH: Do you sense God’s presence around you? Have you experienced the power of His touch? Do you offer this same comfort to others? Do you lay hands on others in prayer? Do you take the time to offer appropriate, meaningful touch to others (i.e. handshakes, hugs, fist bumps, high fives, a pat on the back, etc.)? If you need power or healing today, ask for God’s touch.

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalm 91:4 (NLT)

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

“And the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” Luke 6:19 (NIV)

“But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”” Luke 8:46 (NLT)

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” Mark 16:15-18 (NLT)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Which of your senses is most affected by Christmas? What senses…sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touches…make you think of God? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below!

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Update: Originally posted 12/11/2018

1. “Chapter 4: The Dream, The Angel, and The Letter.” The Christmas Box, by Richard Paul Evans, Simon & Schuster, 1993, pp. 77–78. ↑