Beard Oil: Unearthing Ancient Memories

I have had some form of a beard for over twenty years. It all started after a long holiday weekend where I didn’t have to shave and I grew a few whiskers. I remember putting my then little girls to bed and one of them asking for more “whisker tickles.” Needless to say, I obliged and have never had a completely shaven face since then.

I have always kept a short cut to my facial hair—not that this is of any interest to anyone but me. If I let it get too long, then there’s the terrible stage of itch one must endure. Recently, I had let my beard grow and the itch was driving me a little bit crazy. So, I bought some beard oil.

Amazingly, the itch was just about eliminated. I went to the local Target and got the only beard oil they had. It wasn’t bad and it smelled reasonable. I also had a couple of compliments thrown my way that said I looked thinner or something. Since then, I have been trying different brands and have found that, for the most part (other than the smell), I cannot tell a difference. I do have certain fragrances I like better than others, but as much as I can tell, there’s not much difference among them. Maybe I haven’t tried a really good one yet?

I must admit that I feel better when I use my beard oil, and this has gotten me to think about it. What is there about beard oil that makes me feel better? I know this is probably a little out there, but I think it just draws on some ancient memories and traditions.

I can remember watching my grandpa shave. He would lather up and use a straight blade to shave. I remember the smells, and one of the oils I have reminds me of those same smells—manly smells!

I also wonder what it smelled like when someone from the biblical era was anointed with oil. I’m sure it was a good smell. There’s a formula for holy oil given to Moses in the dedication of the ancient Tabernacle. It involves myrrh and cinnamon oil. We recently traveled to Israel and bought some myrrh. It’s very fragrant, and I liked the smell. Raw frankincense also smells good.

The Greek name for Christ means anointed. In our Bible, there are different ways and reasons for anointing, but in the Old Testament when something or someone was anointed, it had a symbolic meaning. It usually represented a portal between the created and the Creator. It represented a place where the eternal could coexist with the mortal. And so even in His name, Jesus Christ, we are given a hint to what He is doing. He made a way for all of creation to be with Him. He came to Tabernacle with us! He came to be a portal between the Creator and the created. Oh, and what a fragrance He must bring! I imagine He has the smell of the anointing oil that Mary poured on Him before His death.

I know that this is a stretch, but maybe in some way, my beard oil is drawing me to Him. I smell the fragrance and am drawn to some ancient memories.