<blockquote>Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

[Psalm 34:8, <em>The Message</em>]</blockquote>
A few weeks ago, the pastor of the church we've been attending came to our house for a visit.  She wanted to get to know us and talk a little about the church.  One thing that she said stood out to me above everything else:
<blockquote>Worship is such a sensory experience.</blockquote>
She elaborated, describing the taste and smell of the Communion elements, the candles, the stained glass, the sound of the songs of praise.  Even listening to her, I could feel my pulse quickening with the longing that good, deep worship brings to me.

Later that night, as I lay in bed, her words ran through my mind.  The Scripture I quoted above sprang to mind, and I turned it over and over, meditating on it and thinking about what that meant.

Advent is here, and Christmas is nearly upon us, and I find myself feeling sad that we have reduced this beautiful season to a string of arguments about how to greet one another and whether or not writing "Xmas" is appropriate. We spend our time in stores and online, seeking the perfect gifts.  We plan and prepare elaborate feasts.  We stress about vacation plans, in-laws, and family drama.

The one thing we <em>don't</em> do is focus on why we celebrate.  We've lost our ability to "taste and see that the Lord is good," all while accusing others of taking Christ out of Christmas.

Even in all the busy moments of December, I love this time of year.  I can recall in exquisite detail the very first Christmas that I celebrated as a follower of Jesus.  For the first time, I understood exactly what the words of the songs meant.  Everything took on a new meaning—the decorations in the mall and the lights on our tree and the stockings full of gifts.  Even Christmas cookies tasted different.  The almost-magic of the season permeated my whole life.  It still does now, even after almost twenty-five years, and even through all the challenges that life has brought.

Christmas can be a difficult time for many people, with all its busyness and heartache and anxiety.  The usual suggestion I hear for easing holiday tension is to take time, slow down, and worry less.  However, I propose something radically different.  Instead of letting it go and stepping away from our holiday plans, why not seek the Lord <em>in</em> them?  Why not "taste and see" <em>through</em> our festivities?

What if we...
<ul>
	<li>Appreciate the beauty of the lights in store windows and on our streets, and let them remind us that Jesus is the light of the world?</li>
	<li>Smell the baking cookies, holiday pine, and roast turkey and think of it as an aroma pleasing to God?</li>
	<li>Feel the pen in hand as we write cards and know that we are sharing our joy with the ones we love?</li>
	<li>Hear the carols and the organ and the bells and remember that among them, we can still hear the still, small voice of the Lord?</li>
	<li>Taste the spice and sweetness of gingerbread and remember the sharp tang of our sin, but the forgiveness of the One who died for us?</li>
	<li>Bustle about our tasks, remembering that it is God who is present in all of it and gives us strength to carry on?</li>
</ul>
What about you?  How will you "taste and see that the Lord is good" this Christmas?