But thanks be to God who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him.  2 Corinthians 2:14

When I saw the theme for this year’s Advent blog, I realized I don’t know much about amaryllis plants.  I know they are beautiful, but do they have a fragrance?  I couldn’t place the fragrance in my memory.  

Then I read:  The beautiful and majestic Amaryllis is undoubtedly best known for its vibrant and velvety trumpet-like flowers. But behind its bold façade hides this bloom’s best-kept secret – its mild, sweet and delicate scent. In contrast to its opulent appearance, the beauty of the Amaryllis’s fragrance lies in its subtlety.

This took me to St. Paul’s words to the church at Corinth…”through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Christ.”

Unlike the bold fragrant lilac at Easter or the brilliant rose at Valentine’s Day, the amaryllis is subtle and delicate and like the fragrance of the amaryllis, we are the ones who exude the fragrance of Christ in our lives each day – subtley, delicately, sweetly. We might never see where our fragrance ultimately extends, but we hope and trust that “through us spreads in every place the fragrance of Christ.”

What a better way to welcome Advent and its subtle, sweet message of hope and expectation?

Shared by Reverend J. Elise Brown, Ph.D.