Coco Chanel once said “A woman who doesn’t wear perfume, is a woman without a future”. Perfume is one of my passions in life so I truly love this statement.
The art of the perfumer is as ancient as time itself. It’s first mentioned in the book of Exodus where God says to Moses (and gives him the recipe), “Take sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense, an equal amount of each. And make of them incense, a perfume after the perfumer’s art, seasoned with salt and mixed, pure and sacred”.
Priests, rabbis, and shamans were the original perfumers, keepers of the sacred. To this day, fragrant anointing oils and incense are used regularly by every major religion in the world. It was used by the Priest to anoint the Tent of Meeting and all the utensils that was used in service to God. Once it was anointed, it was set apart, consecrated and declared Holy.
“The odour of your ointments is fragrant; your Name is like perfume poured out. Therefore do the maidens love You” Son1:3. Christ name is like ointment poured forth. It brings healing and wellbeing to those who find Him. The incense burned upon the golden altar was prepared of sweet spices. When it was used, it was to be beaten very small to release the fragrance – thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer, when He offered Himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savor. Blessed be the name of Jesus who was bruised for our iniquity!
Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard, a rare perfume, that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. One of the disciples was very angry because of this ‘waste’. He proposed it could have been sold and the money used to take care of the poor. But Jesus said leave her alone. “It was intended that she should keep it for the time of My preparation for burial” (embalming). Mary loved Jesus very much so no expense was spared to demonstrate her love for Him.
“Oil and perfume rejoices the heart. So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart” Prov27:9. Wow, what a beautiful word! Friendship that comes from your heart is like sweet perfume that rejoices the heart of your friend…
“But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere. For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ which exhales unto God, discernible among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the latter it is an aroma from death to death, the smell of doom, to the former it is an aroma from life to life a vital fragrance living and fresh” 2Cor 2:14-16. So remember you are the “perfume bottle” from which the fragrance of Christ is dispensed!
Until Houbigant released ‘Fougere Royal’ in 1882, all perfume through the ages was completely natural. This fragrance define a type of perfume — the “fougère” (or fern-like) fragrance family. But even more important, Fougère Royal was composed around an accord of oakmoss, geranium, bergamot and synthetic coumarin. Today perfume is a multi million dollar industry. Designer labels become immortalized by composing exotic perfumes sold in even more exotic bottles which are desired by women all over the world. It is a symbol of love, of sacrifice, and of pleasure. A familiar scent can transport you back into time. It can provoke the most secret and sacred feelings inside of you. It can expose your emotions in the presence of someone special and enhance a magical moment. It is believed that the blending of natural perfume is the highest form of art.
February is the month of love… So let’s rejoice the hearts of our loved ones by pouring out sweet words of love and appreciation all over them, and simultaneously bring glory to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who lavishly poured out His Name upon us!
Lorraine Lyon
Perfume bottle Alabaster, Egypt 1350 B.C. ~ Beauty kit Mesopotamian 3000 B.C. ~ Silver perfume bottle Arabian 500 A.D.
