{12 Posts of Christmas}: 8 Senses of Christmas

8 Senses of Christmas

Christmas is euphoria to the senses. The sights and smells and tastes and sounds are so vast around the Christmas season. There are so many things to take in: the lights, the foods, the laughter, the carols. We experience so much of Christmas with our hands, our mouths, our ears, our senses and we don’t even realize. If only we could simply soak everything in, wrap each and every Christmas up in your memory, carry them with you even as the holiday passes and Christmas turns to winter. But alas, we can simply reflect upon the many ways we experience Christmas and enjoy them while they last, until next year.

8.) Touch. The crinkly crunch of presents as you tear the wrapping paper and pull off the sticky bows. The icy droplets of frozen snow as they fall from the heavens. The prickly pine branches that scratch your skin as you decorate the Christmas tree with astute attentiveness. The exhilarating chill of snow on bare skin, as your friend throws a perfectly-aimed snowball. The smooth warmness of fresh coffee trickling down your throat. The warm, tender embraces of the people you love and cherish.

7.) Taste. The tangy tartness of mulled apple cider, warmed to perfection on the stove. The rustic savor of tender, roasted beef that melts like butter in your mouth. The sweet minty goodness of the traditional candy-cane with its ribbon of crimson and white. The first sip of eggnog of the season, the heavy cream mixing with the nutmeg in a sea of frothy delight.

6.) Memory. The long nights of not being able to fall asleep, curled up in bed, thinking of all the presents sitting under the tree, just waiting for me. The blustery afternoons of family adventure, finding and cutting down the perfect Christmas tree. The many hours spent scavenging about for our stockings, deciphering clues leading to their final resting place. The triumphant jubilee in singing Go Tell it On the Mountain as the closing song for our Christmas service. Reading the account of Jesus’ birth aloud at the breakfast table on Christmas day, reminding ourselves to constantly return to the greatest gift of Christmas.

5.) Smell. The crisp, merry symphony of cedar, bergamot, fir needles and musk, wafting from the Christmas tree. The buttery rich, vanilla accent of fresh-baked sugar cookies. The rustic scent of a crackling, wood fire that clings to your clothes for the whole day. The spicy warmth of apple cider with a hint of cinnamon and cloves. The exhilarating tingle of a frosty mint breeze of fresh-fallen snow. The cozy, warming aroma of hot rum and buttery vanilla. The crisp scent of wrapping paper, pungent and acrid.

4.) Humour. The way our old dog, Dauber, looked when we decked him out in the santa hats and reindeer antlers. The way that movie Elf can always make you laugh, even if you’ve seen it dozens of times. The expression on his or her face when you give a friend a wonderfully horrid white elephant present. The dance parties that break out when Christmas music is blared loudly about the entire house. The hilarious costumes that unfold from wearing an ugly Christmas scarf.

3.) Sight. The wreath of holly hung on the front door, beckoning lonesome passersby a very happy Christmas. The wonder in wee ones’ eyes as their anticipation grows with each passing day. The twinkling shimmer of the Christmas tree, light permeating from silver tinsel hanging from its prickly branches. Dainty presents wrapped in shiny paper, tied atop with pretty ribbons and bows. The frosted water droplets formed together to create frozen icicles, clinging to the roof. The wide smiles on the faces of children, expressing the joy that is in their hearts.

2.) Sound. The harmonies of jolly voices proclaiming loudly the Saviour’s birth through carols of old. The sharing of tales of lore, swapping memories of Christmases gone past. The popping of the cork as you open a bottle of wine or sparkling grape juice. The constant hum of the oven, roasting those sizzling delicacies to perfection. The jingling jangle of sleigh bells and the clip-clop of horses hooves on the frozen ground. The resounding peals of laughter echoing through the rafters as family and friends gather together. The tranquil silence of night.

1.) Joy. The friends gathered around the hearth, warmed by the crackling glow, warmed in their hearts by love and hope. On Christmas Day, the simple fact that the earth joins together in some way or another to celebrate the Saviour’s birth. The exhilaration in each and every heart as families make their way together to spend time on Christmas, to share gifts, to make memories, to spread the love of Christ. The joy to the world for the Savior has come to a desperate world, our hearts aglow with the fire to proclaim the newborn king.

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