Everyday Living

Christmas Tablescape: O Holy Night

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭

What a night! We love the Biblical account of the night Jesus was born. I realize that so many of our activities, celebrations and festivities about the event are based on assumptions and traditions.  That’s quite alright as long as we remember this fact.

We enjoy red and green, shiny and ornate, but there were likely no bright colors that night. Our Nativities are special and a focal point in several places in our home. All of them have wise men, gifts in hand,  surrounding the new born King. Those guys probably showed up much later, but we still give them a spot in the scene. And of course there are 3 of them. Maybe there were 3. Maybe more!

A manger is a feeding trough for animals. Jesus was laid in one after His birth. Most of our depictions of a manger are made of wood, filled with hay and sitting inside a wooden stable. Perhaps this is exactly as it was that night. We were able to see some very old feeding troughs while visiting Israel and they were made of stone. Some believe the birth took place in a cave area where animals were kept and fed and not in a wooden stable at all. Wood was a precious commodity in Judea.

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December 25 is our day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, God in flesh. We have no positive way to know the exact day, but it is certain, based on scripture, that Christ was born at night.
Yes, what a night. A night like no other. Before or since.
O Holy Night!!

Thanks for letting me join in on this week’s tablescape!
-Butch
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The inspiration for our family Christmas table is the small white nativity made by my Mother many years ago.  This is so special to me because although she isn’t with us anymore, her life and legacy still live on in our family! 

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A cream-colored quilted table runner purchased in an open market in Sete, France is covered with fresh Leyland Cypress.

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Mint julep cups are filled with fragrant roses and rosemary…heavenly!!

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A cake stand from my Mother’s collection holds the ceramic nativity…both of which I love so dearly!

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Tartan napkins are held with Christmas ornaments…an inexpensive way to dress up the table!

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The blue and white Christmas pattern is one of my favorites!

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Votives add ambiance to our Christmas table!

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“O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth…

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…Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth…

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…A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

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“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver”
Proverbs 25:11

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Thank you, sweet friends, for visiting and leaving such kind comments.  I read each one and always love to hear from you!

pam-closer

Comments

  1. Beautiful! Your table is so warm and inviting…truly a sight to behold. And, thoughts of our Savior’s birth behind it all makes it truly gleam! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. 🙂

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  2. Another beautiful table, Pam. Imagine how cold a stone manger must’ve been?!
    Wishing you & Butch all the blessings of this season, and good health into the new year. Merry Christmas!

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  4. My dear Pam, how I love seeing your tablescapes as you always create the loveliest settings. Your Christmas tablescape took my breath away, sweet friend….it’s absolutely glorious!

    I hope you have a most blessed Christmas. Love and hugs to you!

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  5. Your table is so beautiful. I love that you have the nativity set your mom made. It’s interesting to read the various ideas about what must have really occured on the day of Jesus’s birth. The cypress branches look wonderful laid out in the center. Love the pretty blue and white Christmas tree dishes. The red roses add that punch of red that really makes this festive.
    Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas!

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  6. Pam, as always your table is breathtaking! I love the blue and white Christmas china…so pretty! What a special treasure to have the nativity that your Mother made. It will be so special to have this for all the future generations of your family to share. I hope that Butch and you have a very blessed and Merry Christmas! Enjoy this wonderful week!!!

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  7. Love your table! I have the same nativity set that a friend made for me many years ago. Plus, I also put out 3 nativity sets which are all very special. Merry Christmas!

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  8. Querida Pam, mi deseo es que pases una muy feliz Navidad. Has creado una mesa muy hermosa, siempre con toques emotivos de la familia. Te confieso que yo también soy muy emotiva en la Navidad, recordando a los seres que ya no están con nosotros: mis padres y ahora mi esposo. Pero celebraremos la Navidad como siempre porque así lo hubiera querido él.
    Un enorme abrazo para tí y Butch

    Dolores

    Dear Pam, my wish is for you to have a very merry Christmas. You have created a very beautiful table, always with emotional touches of the family. I confess that I am also very emotional at Christmas, remembering the beings that are no longer with us: my parents and now my husband. But we will celebrate Christmas as always because he would have wanted to.
    A huge hug for you and Butch

    Dolores

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    • Querida Dolores, gracias por tu dulce bondad. Ni siquiera puedo imaginar tu pérdida, pero siento que tu esperanza no se pierde. Espero que tengan una Feliz Navidad y descansen en la bondad de Dios. ¡Sé que extrañará a su Antonio! Enviando amor y abrazos, Pam y Butch
      Dearest Dolores, thank you for your sweet kindness. I can’t even imagine your loss, but I sense that your hope is not lost. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and rest in the goodness of God. I know you will miss your Antonio! Sending love and hugs, Pam and Butch

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  9. Enjoyed this post. Everything is so beautiful. MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR full of BLESSINGS.
    Marilyn and Family

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  10. Your table is beautiful, especially your Mom’s nativity scene. You have a beautiful dining room with the wall colors and the lovely chandelier. It looks so warm and inviting. Merry Christmas. Thelma.

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  11. Pam, you have such great style. i love to see your beautiful creations. The nativities are so precious. Truly an inspirational post as well. Many blessings to you

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  13. This is so beautiful Pam & Butch, it translates the magic of the season and the miracle of Christ into a visual scene! It’s even more special since you used so many treasured things and family heirlooms. The fresh greenery is wonderful and I can only imagine how good it smells! I know you and your family will have a very special Christmas!
    Jenna

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  15. The nativity set elevated on the cake stand is wonderful. It gives it a lift, almost as if floating. I also love how you added greenery to your chandelier. Just the kind of table I’d love to sit at with good conversation and tasty food!

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