CHOCOLATE IN THE NOSE IS NOT AS GOOD AS CHOCOLATE IN THE MOUTH

When my wife, Sarah, and I were newlyweds I had a job working as a police officer in a small city up near the Canadian border in New England, and she got a job working the front desk at a motel. My shift would sometimes begin at 5:30 in the morning, and, because we only had one car, I would get up early and walk the mile or so into work so Sarah would have the car to get to work herself later on. My walk always took me past the city’s industrial park, which was home to a chocolate factory. Occasionally I would walk past as they were beginning production for the day and emanating from that factory was a heavenly aroma of cocoa that filled the whole south end of town. It was almost like the very air was flavored.

Thinking about those early morning walks and the smell of cocoa on the breeze reminds me of Christmas. Sometimes, at this time of year, I think we can catch just the slightest hint of what Heaven will be like. Christmas is a time when far flung loved ones are gathered home, and there’s a prevailing atmosphere of cozy togetherness--- The lights and decorations, the excitement, the special food and music, festive gatherings, gift giving, a merry sense of wonder, and special times of worship--- all of these things bring to mind that smell of chocolate as I walked down main street. It blew across town stirring within me a longing for the real thing. The smell of chocolate is good, but its taste is better. Chocolate in the nose is not as good as chocolate in the mouth. Christmas stirs within me a similar longing. This season is good but ultimately it points to something better and more substantial that I long to sink my teeth into, and that something is heaven. When Jesus comes back we will satisfy the hunger that Christmas arouses in our hearts. And It won’t be just for a season, it will be for always.

For nonbelievers tis “THE SEASON” to be jolly. It’s just a season, it’s temporary, and once December 26th arrives the tree is hauled to the curb, the credit card bill comes in the mail, the toy breaks, everyone is sick of the songs and sick from eating too much. All the goodwill and merriness burns away like so much mist before the sun. For those of us who know the full meaning of Christmas, however, this special season, although wonderful and exciting, is really just a pale foreshadowing of the pleasures yet to come. It is sad to think that so many will only ever celebrate the smell of Christmas, but will never actually taste it in its fullness. Christmas, and all the other highwater marks of earthly joy, are all just heaven on the breeze, but only those who have put their trust in Jesus for salvation will ever experience these things in their fullness.

So, brothers and sisters, during this Christmas season as we reflect on the first time that Jesus came into the world, and look forward to the promised day when he returns, let all of your celebration be full of joy and let it fill you with anticipation for the coming day when Jesus will gather all of his far flung loved ones home to be with Him. As Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”