We are in the season of parades, halfway between Macy’s Parade and the Rose Parade.

One of my best friends used to go to the Rose Parade prior to attending the Rose Bowl game later that afternoon. His parents knew some people of wealthy means who had seats each year at both events. The seats were front row for the parade. I do not know where they sat at the football game.

I never asked my buddy if they could smell the roses at the parade. The floats vie for trophies as “best in class” with creative designs. I did not realize until just recently that everything that can be seen on a float is entirely organic, primarily of flowers. For some of the larger floats, that means 60,000 roses, each in their own little vial of water to keep them fresh. They must put off a beautiful aroma!

Aromas and trophies made up the early parades in Rome. I recently walked the Via Sacra in the Roman Forum. An ancient road, it was “Main Street” at that time. Via Sacra is also where the Roman Triumphs were held.

A Triumph was a military procession celebrating victory over an enemy. It was a parade of sorts.

A typical procession would include models of the area which was conquered followed by the spoils of war. Next, there would be the captives trailing along. The general was highly honored by the forced march of those over whom he was victorious. Following the captives were the musicians, the victorious leader, and then his army. Along the route, priests would swing their censers with sweet-smelling incense. No one wanted to miss this tremendous victory parade!

Paul had the Triumph in mind when the Spirit led him to write the following:

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the 
knowledge of Him in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14

The apostle took an image understood in ancient Rome and applied it to our life in Christ. Christ has conquered sin and death. He is our victorious ruler. We are His trophies of grace bringing Him honor and glory. He leads us and we follow in loving obedience.

For the victorious general and his army, the incense was the perfume of joy and triumphant life. For the captives in ancient Rome, the aroma was the scent of death reminding them of their past defeat and coming execution. Paul continued the imagery when he reminded us of our commission in this world.

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being
saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma
from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.
2 Corinthians 2:15-16

These words remind us that each moment of each day, we have the privilege of pointing others to Jesus. We can elevate their attitude by bringing them the joy of Christ. We can comfort their anxiety by expressing the love of Christ. We can be used of the Spirit to redirect their lives with the gospel of Christ.

Our lives are never “between parades.” We are constantly an aroma of Christ to the world around us. In the hectic, frantic, stressed-out days of this season, will you be intentional about being the aroma of Christ?

Use kind words. Make eye contact and smile. Elevate someone’s day with verbal affirmation. Leave a larger tip.

Through the gospel, give them the opportunity to trust Jesus Christ as Savior. Your scent can be a  life-giving aroma in this season of our Lord’s birth.

Love and blessings,
Dave