Have a Sense-sational Holiday Season

We live so much out of our souls that we often become detached from our spirit and bodies. Using our senses helps us live in the present moment. That’s important because that’s all we have….right now. God can only be experienced in the reality of the present moment. When we attend to life with one or more of our senses, we immediately enter real-time and awaken to the possibilities of God in it!

By awakening our whole self, we get to experience more of God. Let’s briefly explore what it means to be awake.

• Awake as an adjective means not asleep, aware, conscious, alert, wakeful.

• As a verb, awake means becoming more aware, arousing from a daze or dream, and arousing feelings.

 What adjective or verb grabs your attention? How is God calling you awake?

First Step

Our first step is to notice and become aware of God. To pay attention, really pay attention in love. When we look at something in love, we honor it. We respect and appreciate what it is. Paying attention, in love, takes on a whole new meaning.

We tend to quit seeing the people we live or work with. Like when we’re on automatic pilot as we drive and miss how green the grass is. Or we gobble down our food because we’re in such a hurry that we miss the full flavor of what we eat.

 A quote from, Awaken Your Senses, by J, Brent Bill & Beth A. Boorman, “When we combine attention and love, we move to a new level of noticing. Love and attention give us a deep, clear look at God everywhere around us.” How exciting!

 We can practice multiple ways to awaken our senses. When we stop and pay attention to people, places, things, and ideas with love, we awaken to how God has uniquely formed them. We notice the Holy in the ordinary. There are miracles all around us.

God gave us our five senses to experience the world he created. We can enjoy and appreciate the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and the “feels” of our environments. Our lives become full and abundant when we pay attention using our God-given senses

The Holiday season is a sense-sational time to notice with our eyes, ears, nose, taste buds, and touch. Christmas is a celebration for the senses. Awaken your senses to make your home warm and inviting wherever you live.

As you head into the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas season, slow down, pause, and take it all in. Notice the first scents of the Holidays: the steamy mug of cider, twinkling lights, the fresh scent of evergreen, Christmas carols, and a cozy fire.

To have a simple “sense-sational” celebration this season, simplify. Get your senses going with these fun activities.

SIGHT
Look at the lights! Go for a walk or drive and see homes and businesses aglow with festive light displays. The lights remind us of the simple star that shone so brightly many years ago. This star led the shepherds to the true Light of the World.

 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:10

SOUND
Play your favorite holiday tunes! Have each person in your family choose their favorite holiday song. Play the music while you make dinner or as you decorate your tree.

Taking time to be with God is helpful at such a busy time. As you spend time in quiet solitude and reading your Bible, God can clearly lead you through the holidays with peace and priorities.

TOUCH
Get comfy! Grab your favorite soft sweater or wrap up in a blanket. Take time to notice the feeling of the material on your skin. Appreciate the warmth and comfort that it provides. Feeling safe and secure in our own little world.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger. Luke 2:7

I wonder if baby Jesus felt safe when Mary wrapped his tiny body in cloths and laid him in a manger. Touch is about giving. Christmas is about giving too. Touch can be a precious gift to give. May we share loving touches with those close to us.
TASTE
Make a special meal or treat! Take time to prepare something delicious together. Be mindful of each bite and how the food makes you feel, the memories it brings, or appreciation of the nourishment it will bring to your body.

Keep in mind the intention of hospitality is to bless, not impress. To bless is to care for others joyfully and love one another.

SMELL
If you truly want to tug on the heartstrings of loved ones this holiday season, then fill your home with wonderful smells.

Smell is the most influential sense we possess. God wired up our noses to our brains so that the slightest smell can affect us. Fragrances stir our emotions and affect our behaviors.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart. Proverbs 27:9

Hunt for some good-smelling items – holiday spices, candles, flowers, or foods. Reflect on where the smells take your memories and how you feel.

Pay attention to what is important: celebrating the reason for the season, the birth of Christ, sharing life and love and making memories. Let your senses be your guide to savoring all the season has to offer!