Hello sweet friends! Christmas is only four sleeps away. Do you remember as a child you thought that Christmas would never arrive? But now, it seems that it is here before I can turn around.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11
It is once again Monday Morning Blooms with my blogging friends! It is hard to believe that we have been sharing floral arrangements twice monthly for almost three years. We look forward to 2021 as we share our love for flowers, gardening, and home.
Too busy the little town of Bethlehem,
too busy to notice God had come to them.
Too busy even more today than then,
Too busy to let the King of Glory in.
-Lanny Wolfe
You will find the links for Shirley, Lidy, and Mary at the bottom of this post.
The dining table is set for our family Christmas dinner. We will be fewer in number this year, but we still have much reason to rejoice!
Fresh Leyland cypress provides a natural runner for golden angels, brushed gold candle stands, and Kim Seybert crystal and gold baubles.
The Bethlehem Christmas teapot is serving up fresh greenery, berries, seeded eucalyptus, and ruffled carnations. Carnations have a lovely spicy clove scent, but are so often overlooked for floral arrangements. I was hoping for red roses, but those were not to be found. It just so happens that I love carnations!
The beautiful Bethlehem Christmas dishware was gifted to me by my blogging friend Pat. The beautiful dishes are available through her website, BethlehemChristmas.com. It includes eight designs that depict the Christmas story. Each 5 piece place setting consists of a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, cup, and saucer. It is designed for every day use and makes an excellent gift for all occasions!
On Christmas Day before dinner is served, we each take our turn and read aloud the scripture found on our plate. We begin at the head of the table where the story begins and progress through the verses as the plates are arranged in proper order. My family loves this tradition that began when these lovely dishes arrived. My sweet daughter-in-love has spoken for them, and I am so pleased that this tradition will continue!
“God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.”
-Wilda English – A Christmas Blessing
I think of this table as simple elegance, perfect for celebrating Christmas.
As I mentioned recently, Christmas memories are so important to me. Early in December several years ago, Butch was on a business trip to Memphis, TN and while there, he went shopping (not normally on his to-do list). He came home with these beautiful angels that I dearly love. They move about from year to year, but they seem perfect with the plates depicting the birth of Jesus.
I had to share this photo! Look carefully on the floor by the bench and you will see EM playing with her Daddy’s childhood wooden train. She played so sweetly while I was taking photos.
The glow of candlelight makes everything magical!
The chandelier received fresh cypress. Reminder: Leyland cypress is long lasting and produces no sticky sap on surfaces.
Be sure to visit Shirley, Lidy, and Mary…they never disappoint!
Shirley – Housepitality Designs
Lidy – FrenchGardenHouse
Mary – Home Is Where The Boat Is
Those who missed His Majesty’s arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no they missed it because they simply weren’t looking. Little has changed in the last two thousand years, has it?
-Max Lucado
Thanks so much for your visits and gracious comments. Wishing you a delightful day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Pam, This is just beautiful! I scrolled up and down several times to take in all the beauty from your Bethlehem dinnerware, gorgeous tree, evergreen runner and chandy, pretty blooming teapot and golden angels. What a sweet shot of EM playing with Seth’s train, I would have missed it if you hadn’t pointed it out. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas week and all the blessings of the season ♥
Thank you sweet Mary! Christmas blessing to you and yours ♥️
A great way to start my day viewing your lovely table and hearing about the tradition of each person reading the scripture on their plate. That is a good way for the children to memorize the verses.
I think simple elegance does describe this table. Butch did well finding the beautiful angels.
It is hard to believe you have been doing Monday Morning Blooms for three years. It has been a treat to see your creations. Such a talented group.
May your Christmas be very special.
Thank you for your precious friendship. Wishing you and Mike a blessed Christmas!
Pam, this truly is simple elegance. I love you sharing all your sweet memories. The Christmas blessing by Wilda English is a gem. I can’t believe it’s been 3 yrs of Monday Morning Blooms! I’ve loved this series and always look forward to them from each of you. The variety is never-ending! Merry Christmas to you all!
Thank you Rita. You are a dear blessing and encourager. Christmas blessings ♥️
I’m in love with your traditions and what a most beautiful collection of the Bethlehem plates. The angels are divine…how nice of Mr. RM to get those for you while on a business trip…Love that you added the greenery from your gardens on the table. Yes, as you stated, Simple Elegance. I shed a little tear when I saw your precious one playing with her father’s train…my Sweetie used to play with her dad’s toys and preferred them to her own. It surely makes our heart happy, right? …. I wish you and your family a most Merriest of Christmases…counting our blessings…and wishes for a happy and most healthy New Year…Love MMB’ing with you and look forward to 2021 of our Monday Morning Blooms.
Love and Christmas blessings to you, Tom, Sweetie, and your family!
What a beautiful Christmas table. You always do such a special job!
Thank you for including the Christmas Blessing by Wilda English. I love that!
Thank you for your sweet and encouraging comments, Nancy. Wishing you a joy-filled Christmas!
Pam, I agree wholeheartedly with your opening statement. In fact, I was just saying the same thing to my hubby. It seems when I was a child that it took Christmas forever to arrive, and now I blink and it’s here. Your Christmas table is beautiful, and I love those dear plates. How special to have the tradition of reading the scripture from them on Christmas Day. Your floral arrangement is just gorgeous, and the carnations are such a pretty addition. Merry Christmas to you and your family, sweet friend.
Shannon, you are a sweet blessing! Merry Christmas sweet friend ♥️
Beautiful table, Pan, and your tradition is wonderful.
Thank you Carole!
Pam, Your Christmas table is beautiful. The MMB arrangement is perfect. The angels are so delicate looking and go so well with your candlesticks from NC. The plates are so pretty and colorful. Your tradition is wonderful. Glad your dil wants to continue the tradition in the future. EM playing quietly is such a sweet picture. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Give your Daddy a hug from us. Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. You are a blessing and an encourager. Wishing you and hubby a most joyous Christmas ♥️
What a glorious way to start this Christmas week! Yes Christmas has arrived in the blink of an eye this year, and you certainly look ready Pam, your table is gorgeous. The china is as beautiful as your family tradition of reading from it as you go around the table, I know your heart sung when your DIL asked to eventually have it. The gold angels are beautiful too, and EM is your living angel, playing quietly as you snap! I do miss the formal holiday dinner we always had on Christmas day, but I was always so worn out by then, 😂 . As things have changed over the years, now I go to my daughter’s home for Christmas supper which is less formal, but more relaxing for me!! I know you will have a very special week full of love and blessings, Merry Christmas Pam and Butch!
Thank you for all of your sweet and encouraging comments. Jenna, you are a blessing…Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Oh, thank you Pam, things are getting Merry!
From the angels to the candlelight, from your beautiful gifted Bethlehem plates to your beautiful crystal…it is simple elegance that is the light and story of Christmas. Loved the Christmas blessing and yes we must open our eyes to see. EM should always be in the photo. Love and blessings to the entire family.
Thank you for all of your sweet comments and encouragement dear Dianne. Merry Christmas to you and Bob!
Your table is just gorgeous. What a lovely gift from Pat. I love hearing family traditions and ours this year are changed, but they will return, perhaps with new ones. All good wishes for a beautiful week, filled with love, joy, and the spirit and meaning of Christmas.
Thank you Jeanie for all of your sweet and encouraging comments. May your Christmas be joy-filled!
Oh Pam, what a very special tradition you have with the plates. It must make your heart so happy to know they will be passed down through the family. Butch’s beautiful angels are the perfect accompaniment. I too love carnations, they are so long lasting and have that wonderful spicy aroma. I left home before daylight in a dense fog this morning to drop a very anxious pup at the vet’s. As soon as I got home, I poured some coffee and read your story…it was like balm for my stressful morning.
Roxanne, I hope your pet is ok! Wishing you a joy-filled Christmas darling friend ♥️
A very beautiful Christmas table!
Thank you Penny. Merry Christmas!
Ditto to all that has been said! I love to linger over dinner at a well appointed table and just enjoy the company and relax but it seems that most people just want to use paper goods and rush through it all. Have a blessed week.
Wishing you a most wondrous Christmas, Bobbie♥️
y dear friend, I honestly do not know where to start with my comment. Everything is so beautiful, so special that I think you have surpassed yourself.
I think I should highlight the detail of the dishes with the words of the Holy Scriptures that relate the events that take place. It’s a great idea!!! I have never seen it … It must be very emotional for each one to relate the scriptures related to the birth of the Child God … a way of meditating on such a great event for the world.
Your cool way of setting up those beautiful tables is always there.
My wish that the family enjoy it happily.
A huge hug
Dolores, eres una bendición y espero tus visitas. Gracias por sus dulces comentarios y por su amistad virtual. ¡Espero que te estés recuperando y que la terapia te esté ayudando! ¡Les deseo una Navidad feliz, pacífica y feliz con su familia! ¡Enviándote abrazos!
Dear Pam, your table is breathtakingly beautiful. Everything about it is the joy of Christmas. Wishing you a lovely week and let’s pray it slows down just a little. Blessings to you and your family for a most beautiful and special Christmas. Your family has much joy to look forward to in the New Year! Such a precious gift.
Thank you for your encouragement and all of your sweet comments. Wishing you the most wonderful Christmas, Sandra!
Exquisite table!!!Thank you for such inspiration…Adorable flowers!
Thank you dear one. Merry Christmas, Maristella!
Pam, this is so filled with love, joy and blessings! Like Mary, I scrolled up and down several times to take in all the beauty from your Bethlehem dinnerware, your stunning Christmas tree, the evergreen runner and your beautiful teapot centerpiece and your special gold angels. Divine! Wishing you and your dear family a blessed Christmas, dear one. xo Lidy
Thank you dear one! Wishing you a most blessed Christmas!
Simple elegance can’t be beaten. Your table is so pretty and the tradition of reading the words on the plates is a forever memory. May you and Butch, Seth, and daughter-in-love and the queen and princess have a blessed and peaceful Christmas and new year. Oh I forgot your dad. Hope he is well and will be joining you at the table.
Thank you sweet Alice. Wishing you and yours a most beautiful Christmas. My dad is doing well and will be at our home on Christmas!
Stop, stop, STOP!!!! This is just TOO PRETTY!!!!!!!! Thanks for the tip about the Leyland cypress. I didn’t know that, and that’s an important piece of intel. I mixed fresh and faux this year inside and out, and I think I just got lucky. My luck might run out, though, so I’m making a note about this for next year!
I am so glad you are back blogging. Merry Christmas…
How lovely Pam! Beautifully set and those dishes are quite special. Love that you have the tradition of reading each plates. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you Liz for all of your sweet comments. Merry Christmas…
Every single thing touched my heart…each bloom, green, candle, tradition, table setting, golden angels as well as those little angels playing with their daddy’s toys, the blessings, the lights…the love…
Thank you Pam! Merry Christmas!
Sue, thank you for your sweet encouragement. You are a blessing and Merry Christmas!
Ah, all is elegant, warm, and inviting at your table, Pam. I hope your home and heart will overflow with Christmas blessings!
You are a blessing in my life …
Thank you for your sweet encouragement dear Linda! You are a rich blessing…
BEAUTIFUL! MERRY CHRISTMAS
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Delightful Pam!
Bless you ♥
Jennifer
Blessings sweet friend!
Beautifully done! Merry Christmas!
Thank you. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!
What you do each and every week gives me such pleasure. You seem never to run out of ideas which I greatly admire.
Linda, you are a sweet encourager. Merry Christmas!
I discovered your blog several years ago specifically because of your stunning Bethlehem Christmas dish set. And this evening I so enjoyed viewing your gorgeous table setting again. Your table is beautifully set and the greenery, angels, candles, place mats and flower arrangement details are placed together so lovely with these special dishes…every detail is so carefully planned. But…what captured my heart again are the scripture verses and images on the dinner plates and your loving family tradition of reading the scriptures from the Christmas story before you and your family share your Christmas meal. You truly honor The Precious Baby Jesus and His Blessed Mother Mary with your thoughtful Christmas tradition. How wonderful your family tradition will be carried on with your son’s family someday… It is my prayer that you and your dear family are blessed with a most joyous and happy Christmas Season…
Debbie, what sweet and encouraging comments. I so appreciate you following the blog. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Aw, the picture with little Em in the background is just precious! Thank you for pointing that out. I missed it. God bless you all this Christmas!
Your table is just so beautiful Pam. I now have so much inspiration for my next year’s table! Pinned.So happy that you shared it with us at Charming Homes and Gardens.
Thank you Kim. I so appreciate the party!
Pam,
Such a beautiful Christmas Table. Look for your feature on Wednesday’s Charming Homes & Gardens Link Party.
Thank you Rachel and special thanks for the feature!