“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
Galatians 4:4-5
Hello dear friends! Christmas is almost here, ready or not! I haven’t done as much decorating as usual. With Thanksgiving coming late and keeping my princesses age 3 1/2 and almost nine months three days a week, I just didn’t have the energy. I guess I will just have to go ahead and admit that it is an age thing! Christmas is not about decorating every room in our home to the nine’s, nor is it about the gifts that we buy! It is about the joy and hope that was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger over two thousand years ago…the greatest gift ever given! Joy to the world the Lord is come!!
What I chose to unpack and use this year are some (not all) of the things that I love because of the sweet memories attached.
I shared the Nativity that graces our hearth a couple of weeks ago. The stockings have been hung by the chimney with care!
A few years ago we realized our large tree was too much to set up and decorate…the small one is more manageable. The tree in our family room is all about memories…ornaments that have special meaning. We still place a tiny ornament on our tree from our first Christmas forty-six years ago!
I have a large collection of Radko ornaments given to me by family, friends, and my hubby!
I remember who gifted each one…precious memories!
It was exciting to hang a new needlepoint stocking this year as we welcomed our Emma Kennedy!
Mrs. Claus made by my beloved Mother!
A sleigh filled with more special ornaments sits on the coffee table…
…I had to keep it simple, little hands like to explore!
A few of my Byers Choice Carolers were placed in the entry. My Mother started this collection for me…
…Ella Mae’s favorite one!
The large angels that sit on the mantel were a gift from my Renaissance Man…love them.
“The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial, and be reminded of the One who is Christmas.”
-Bill Crowder
Thank you for your visits and gracious comments. As we count down the days until Christmas, may we celebrate the One who is Christmas!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
Pam, Your home is so merry and bright and filled with the meaning of Christmas. It’s a joy to see all your collections, stockings and ornaments. I didn’t have the time to do what I normally do this year either with Thanksgiving so late and I don’t even have the good excuse of keeping two little ones three days a week!! Merry Thursday to you ♥
Thank you dear Mary. I am ready to relax and enjoy!
Your home is gorgeous decorated for Christmas, Pam! I have so enjoyed my tour this morning. I’m with you this year… it seems that with Thanksgiving being so late Christmas has snuck up on me. I can’t believe it is less than a week away! I hope you enjoy these last days leading up to that magical and special day. Merry Christmas, sweet friend!!!
You are so sweet Shannon. I plan on enjoying every moment!
You have a beautifully decorated home, Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas and thank you Carole!
Pam,
With age comes wisdom and it is easy to see that you cherish spending time with your precious family far more than anything else. I don’t think your sweet grandchildren will remember how well you decorated–what they will remember is that you gave them the greatest gift–your time. They will also remember what you value most–your glorious nativity scene at the fireplace says it all–a vivid reminder of the miracle of Christmas.
Sharon
Thank you Sharon for your kind remarks. I want each moment to count❤️
I like all your lovely decor but best I like what you said about Jesus
Thank you Gail, that is so encouraging!
Dear Pam, your decorations and your home are beautiful. Your nativity has always been a favorite of mine. The quote by Bill Crowder reminds of what is truly important. His words are perfectly stated. And your precious Emma and Ella will treasure their time with you throughout their entire lives. They are all the decoration you need. Enjoy these special days. Merry Christmas, dear friend.❤🎄❤
Thank you Sandra. My two princesses are the best gifts. ❤️
Pam, your decorations are filled with wonderful memories. I love your Caroler set that your Mother started for you and the nativity scene is priceless. I marvel at your energy and am inspired by every post done with such love and excellence. Seeing the bright and beautiful faces of Ella and Emma is indescribable joy to you and we love seeing them also. I can imagine their excitement being in your festive and beautiful home. The Jesus story you are teaching them is the greatest story ever told. Thank you for your boldness in spreading this Word to the world.
You are a precious encourager Dianne. In this dark world we live in, Jesus is and has always been the answer. I appreciate your visits and gracious comments!❤️
Yes! The real blessing of Christmas decorations is the walk down memory lane we take as we unpack and welcome each one!
Yes, you are correct! Have a joy-filled Christmas!
Pam, you have the gift of sharing your faith and it shows everyday. Your home is beautiful for Christmas! I hope you and your family enjoy each and every moment.
Stacey ♥
Thank you for your precious encouragement Stacey. You have always been a sweetheart❤️
Pam, Your home is beautifully decorated. I love your chair! The fabric is so pretty! I do believe Thanksgiving threw most of us off when decorating. We decorated with just sentimental ornaments this year as well. I broke one of my Mom’s which disturbed me but accidents happen (which is what my mother would have said to me).
We also have an ornament on our tree from over 40 years ago that we got our first year of marriage. Your Mom was so talented and displaying the Christmas decorations she made we know is such a wonderful trip down memory lane. Adding another stocking to the mantel was indeed a blessing! Your nativity scene is so exquisite & a favorite of mine. Jesus is the best blessing of all! Thank you for all the uplifting Bible verses and testimony you share in your blog! Merry Christmas! Clara ❤️🎄🎅
Clara, thank you for all of the encouraging comments this year. You are truly a blessing. I am so sorry about one of your Mom’s ornaments getting broken. I think every year when I unwrap, will this be the year that something is broken. My Mom would say the exact same thing as your Mom. Blessings and Merry Christmas❤️
Amazing post,my dear friend…You always have the perfect and faithfull words…Made me smile!Hugs!
Thank you dear Maristella and Merry Christmas!
I’ve looked this post over and over, drilling down into every detail of every photo. These are the best. I love your family room memories tree. That’s just so special. I have that flag/heart Radko, too, but the little Radko tree never made it up this year. Yes, it’s an age thing. Or the fact that we have such full and happy lives that we’re darned lucky to do all that we do! I love your carolers, especially Emma Mae’s favorite. I wonder which one Ella will choose in time. The stockings are beautiful too. Is there a story behind them? I wouldn’t be surprised! Your home is so lovely, and I know the season means so much to you. It shows in your love and care. Merriest to you!
Thank you dear a Jeanie for you lovely comments and visits this year. Wishing you and Rick a Merry Christmas with those two precious boys!
Pam, I cannot imagine your home being more beautifully decorated. And the time spent with those precious granddaughters is better than any shiny ornament. Some day please share the story of the doll by your hearth. Too many people are not remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Yesterday I saw a large billboard for a Christmas Eve service at one of the “mega churches”… they actually called it a GRINCHMAS service. I nearly ran off the road trying to see if I read it correctly.
Roxanne, thank you so much for your faithful visits and comments. You are a blessing. I can’t believe a church would call their service a Grinchmas. We aren’t celebrating the Grinch, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. So many gimmicks to entice people, while Jesus is real and personal and not a fairy tale. He is all we need.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas,
Pam
The extent of the decorating is perfection – no need to say more
Mrs. Claus by your dear Mother is so charming…did she also do the caroler below? What a talent she had…. Thank you for sharing your memory-laden genuflection to the true essence of
Christmas; the birth of our Savior and your family who honor Him and each other. What a
beautiful atmosphere you have dedicated to those you love, Pam…The little ones will long remember the impressions of peace and security and the reality of His message that you and Butch provide both in your décor and presence.
Dearest Mary, I am sorry to be so late in my reply. My beloved Mother made so many things that I enjoy year-round, I did make sure that all of her handwork was lovingly unboxed and placed in our home for Christmas. She didn’t make the caroler, believe it or not the pair came from Cracker Barrel many years ago.
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!
Love and hugs,
Pam
Pam your home looks cozy and lovely. The nativity set is beautiful. We too have not decorated as much this year. it seems that as we undecorated for Autumn and Thanksgiving, a week of December had come and gone. Watching our favorite Christmas movies and reading seasonal books take priority over having decorated every room. It is more important to relax and enjoy the things that matter during this season of love.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY,BLESSED 2020.
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Thank you and Merry Christmas Marilyn, Joan, and Marion!
Pam your home is filled with loving memories and is gorgeous from top to bottom!
I always love coming over to get your “gift” to me.
You see… God’s love shines through each and every one of your posts and is such a beautiful testimony. Thank you for your loving faith. And most of all for spreading God’s word so beautifully! ❤️🙏🏻
Nancy, thank you for your friendship and kindness. Wishing you a most wonderful Christmas my friend❤️🎄❤️
Your home is very pretty and well decorated with all the precious ornaments. I especially like the needlepoint stockings. Did you do them?
Merry Christmas. Thelma.
Thank you so much Thelma. I wish I could say I did the needlepoint stockings, but I didn’t.
Merry Christmas,
Pam
Pam, it is a delight to see your home dressed for the holidays. I didn’t do as much as I usually do either. With my husband’s recent health concerns, my focus was elsewhere. I considered not putting up a tree this year, but knew I’d be disappointed it I didn’t. The tree is up and decorated and the stockings are hung. I did a few tabletop vignettes on the sunporch and dining room, but didn’t dresss the Welsh dresser or the Irish pine cupboard as I usually do. It all takes time to unpack, style, and then pack away again.
Love your needlepoint stockings and all the special pieces you have shared.
Thank you Sarah for your kind comments. I hope your Chef is on the road to good health.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas,
Pam
My dear friend, your Christmas decoration is wonderful. All the figures are very beautiful and it is a pleasure to observe them.
Everyone has their story, they all fill us with memories … Thank you for showing them, thanks for being the way you are. Both you and your husband are excellent people. From these beautiful lands of southern Spain
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Dolores
Gracias Dolores por tu maravillosa amistad. Butch y yo les deseamos una Feliz Navidad mientras celebran el nacimiento de nuestro Señor y Salvador. Que estés rodeado de los que más amas. ¡Le deseamos salud y alegría en el próximo año! Amor Pam
Pam, this is a gorgeous post. I love it all! Of course, I have enjoyed seeing many of these decorations through our forty-five years of friendship. You have such a talent for creating beauty, my friend! Merry Christmas to all!
Thank you so much my friend. We share wonderful memories!
The One who is Christmas, indeed! SO thankful He came to this earth to bring about God’s plan for our redemption! It is a blessed life when we celebrate Him every day and walk out this Christian journey. Thank you for being such an encourager on mine, sweet friend!
Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and your precious family!
I always enjoy and look forward to your blog. Thank you for sharing all the bible verses.
Merry Christmas Rebecca and thank you!
Your home looks so beautiful Pam, and I certainly can’t tell that you left anything undone!! I think we are all feeling a little rushed this year, but it’s nice to just not worry too much, do what we can and enjoy! Your nativity scene and tree and fireplace are all so gorgeous as is the tree in your dining room. Your needlepoint stockings are beautiful, who made them? I have made them for my grandchildren and now my daughter informed me she and her husband want me to make one for each of them…I am going to be busily stitching as soon as Christmas is over!! I hope you can take a deep breath and enjoy the magic of Christmas these next few days…
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. I wish I could say that I did the stockings, but I never learned to needlepoint. I am in baking mode now and enjoying it!
Christmas blessings to you, to yours, dear Pam! The stockings, the ornaments, the nativity, the welcome here.
So very heartwarming.
Thank you Linda. Merry Christmas!
Inspiring Pam! I’m off to put up our tree & decorate now!
A very blessed Christmas to you sweet friend ♥
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! Christmas blessings to you and yours ❤️
Pam