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Random News Table for Monday, December 14, 2009

Roll 1d6 and select result

1. Man ordering food called a zombie, punched twice

2. Mysterious Stone Unearthed in Temple

3. Earhart's Final Resting Place Believed Found

4. City of Symbols -- The Masonic influence on London Architecture following the Great Fire of 1666

5. Researcher: Faint writing seen on Shroud of Turin

6. Galileo's missing fingers found in jar

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This week's Theology Thursday post on the Magic of Christmas is on the Aromas of the season.

That's right, the smells that make Christmastime so special for many people. Think about it: the scent of evergreen Christmas trees and wreaths, fresh-baked sugar cookies, and cinnamon-spiced tea or apple cider. The air is full of delicious and comforting aromas at the holidays.

Even in the Gospels we read that aromatics are an integral part of the Christmas story. IN the account of the Magi from Matthew 2, we see that two of the gifts given to the Christ Child were frankincense and myrrh. Later interpretation of these gifts pointed out that they presaged Jesus identity as the Priest of the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7), and also indicated His mission as the perfect sacrifice (myrrh being a spice used in burial preparations, as well as the mixture offered as an anesthetic to Jesus on the cross[Mark 15:23] -- International Bible Encyclopedia).

But even though in the Gospel accounts it is referred to during the Passion and burial of Jesus, the primary purpose of myrrh is like that of frankincense: an aromatic used in worship.

The first Temple (of Solomon) was paneled in cedar (yet another aromatic), and the priests routinely offered incense on the altar in the worship of Israel. In Revelation, we read this interesting bit:

And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8 NIV, emphasis mine)

This tells me that God loves to hear the prayers of His people going up, like the incense the priests used to burn in His temple. What does this have to do with Christmas? I can think of no better time for us to offer our own prayers for the 'peace on earth' that was promised, for the healing of our land, for repentance of our selfishness, and for forgiveness. May the gifts of praise, adoration, blessing and humility be ours to offer our Lord this season, and may we know the magic of prayers at Christmas, that they indeed are a sweet-smelling aroma to our loving Heavenly Father.



PS - - If you are so inclined, please remember me and the Princess Bride in your prayers as we travel to participate in the Advent worship of one of the churches in our state. Thanks!

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