Aromatherapy

The power of the nose! Some say we can differentiate between 10,000 odors -- so distinct are the sensory capacities to isolate specific odors. If perfumers are any indicator, the industry for smell-production is astronomical. It is interesting to note that most of the early perfumers were doing their best to mask odors due to limited soap and water resources. Nonetheless, smell is in…even in theological circles. There is strong encouragement that our sensory experiences have gone lacking and that worship should incorporate more of our capacities to attach meaning and memory to the smell of our worship.

Yes, there are those wonderful odorous memories, perhaps far removed from the ancient sacrifices and incense burning…but they are a part of the memory of worship…that electric light bulb burning smell from too many lights on the sanctuary Christmas decorations and the wiring starting to overheat. Then there is the smell of the burning carpet when the candle wax dripped too fast under the air-conditioning duct. There is of course the smell of that dear older lady who offers sweet smelling hugs to everyone who comes within her arms reach. And there is that smell of the new Sunday School quarterlies that makes you sneeze sometimes. Then there is the smell of the Easter lilies that causes the preacher’s eyes to water and the smell of the baptistery when it heats up with warmed baptismal water. There is the smell of the grape juice at the Lord’s Supper and the smell of the hymnbooks (when they are new). There is the smell of the choir robe that has been worn too many times between dry cleanings. There is the smell of hair burning when someone gets too close to someone else during the candlelight service. Yes, the smells of worship and the church continue to remind us of wonderful and memorable times of worship.

And then there is the smell of welcome, and the smell of praise, and the smell of laughter and love and hope. There is the smell that is the sweet fragrance of mercy and grace and good news. There is the smell of time standing still in the awareness of the holy presence of God. There is the smell of a dream and a revelation, a truth and a promise. There is the smell of God with us and the smell of testimony and witness and life abundant. These smells are there too in this gathering we call church. And indeed such smells are healing and life-giving and glorious.