Faith Family Friends

Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Monday 23 December 2013

An Angelic Tea for 'Celebrate the Season' ~ Christmas Tea


"Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas
Star and Angels gave the sign." ~ Christina Rossettie

Hello my lovely friends and welcome to my last Christmas Tea before Christmas! I want to thank you all for your visits and lovely comments last week on my Sugarplum Fairy Tea.



I had such fun putting it together for you and I'm so glad you enjoyed it! If some of you happened to miss it, you may click here to visit the party.

We are going to have a White Christmas this year. We have had snowfall after snowfall here and the Island is covered in a soft fluffy white blanket.
We have so much snow that we couldn't get to the birdfeeder. So, we reached through the front window and brought it in that way. We filled it up and hung it back outside.

Shortly after, we were rewarded with more than a  dozen or more of our little feathered friends; chickadees, juncos, and believe it or not, goldfinches! They are wearing their winter plummage but my goldfinches did stick around this year and now I will get to enjoy them all winter long. I consider this an early Christmas present for you all know how much I love my goldfinches!  


Now, on to our tea.  Today's tea is all about Angels. Angels played such an important part in the Christmas story.



The angel announced to Mary that she would bear a Son, the Messiah.

"And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favour with God.
And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.'" ~ Luke 1:30-31



An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and assured him that Mary was with Child which had been conceived by the Holy Spirit.

"Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." ~ Matthew 1:20-21



They announced to the shepherds that their Saviour was born.

"And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" ~ Luke 210-11



And when the life of Jesus was endangered by the hand of Herod, an angel appeared again to warn Joseph that he should take Jesus and Mary to Egypt where they would be safe.

"Now when they {the wise men} had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, 'Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.'" ~ Matthew 2:13

Although in the Bible it seems all the angels are masculine, the angels I have at my tea today are both male and female.

These are my little kissing angels that I've had for many years. They are cozied up under the cloche on a soft cloud with a bleached bottle brush tree. A pair of sweet angel wings decorate the outside of the cloche.




Please make yourself at home and keep me company, won't you?



My two teacups are in shades of a delightful soft pink adorned with lots of lovely gold.

The top one is made by Colclough and the bottom one is made by Windsor, both of England.



We are going to enjoy some Earl Grey today with some shortbread cookies and gingerbread balls with sprinkles. Since I'm nursing my back again, the shortbread is from the bakery and the gingerbread balls were made by a sweet friend.




This angel was a gift several years ago. Her gown and wings are lovely, aren't they?




My pink Ganz teapot holds the tea.


Although I am not serving tea in Christmas china, I hope you enjoy it. I was planning to gather some fresh greenery from our cedar but the snow is too deep to get to it. 




The beautiful poinsettia and decorations help lend a Christmasy feel to my tea.



This is one of my real little angels, my youngest grandson, Zachary. He loves Christmas too.


Thank you for visiting today. I am simply delighted when you come for tea. This time next week, Christmas will have come and gone for another year but I pray the spirit of Christmas will live on in your heart always.

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year long.~ Charles Dickens

From my home to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." ~ Luke 2:14



"Hark! the herald angels sing: Glory to the new-born King!


Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations rise; Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King." ~ Charles Wesley{1707-1788} Felix Mendelssohn {1809-1847}

It is the season of the greatest story and the greatest Gift ever given!


I am joining the following parties as well~

Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Pink Saturday~ http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/



Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

30 comments :

  1. I love your post today! It has been my pleasure to join your tea parties this past year...thank you for having me! Have a blessed Christmas...hugs, Penny

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  2. It really looks beautiful there for your last Christmas tea time, Sandi. Have a blessed Christmas. Hugs, Pamela

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  3. Wow, you closed your last C'mas tea with the most stunning post, ever! Amazing and beautiful, I love it all sweet Sandi. Thank you for having this wonderful Tea party for us and here wishing you and yours a very lovely and blessed C'mas 2013.
    FABBY

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  4. What a soft, lovely, angelic tea today, dear Sandi. I love everything you've chosen. Your real angel, Zachary, is such a darling! I hope you feel better soon. Thank you so much for hosting and Merry Christmas hugs and blessings sent to you, sweet friend. xo

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  5. Hello Sandi
    You've created a dreamy table of pink and angels for tea this week. I love the colour of your poinsettia, perfect for the pink theme.
    We don't have to wish for a white Christmas either, lots of snow, but unfortunately covered in ice still.
    Merry Christmas from our home to yours and thank you for hosting a weekly gathering of wonderful women who all enjoy tea and conversation.
    Judith

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  6. Hi Sandi,
    Lovely Christmas post!I love the pic of your grandson by the tree.
    Thank you for hosting your lovely tea parties all year.

    Happy to hear your Aunt is enjoying my book.

    Hope you and your family have a
    wonderful Christmas and all the best in the New Year.

    Carolyn

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  7. Your angels are so beautiful and your china is always gorgeous. I joined your tea party with great pleasure, but with a cup of italian coffee. Your real angel is so sweet...Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  8. You have shared such a beautiful heartfelt post! Thank you!
    I wish you the merriest of Christmases!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  9. Your angels are beautiful, Sandi. I love your pink teapot and your gorgeous poinsettia. What a nice tea! Loved seeing your little grandson too. He is adorable. Hope your back is getting better, Sandi. Merry Christmas!

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  10. Hi Sandi,
    Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing Christ's birth with us in scripture and quotes. Just beautiful. And what a sweet little real angel you have there! :)
    Have a blessed Christmas Sandi!
    Gina

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  11. Hi Sandi,
    Your angels are just beautiful! What a perfect collection! I also love your pink teacups featured today. As you know I love pink teacups. Thank you so much for hosting the Tea Party today! Have a very Merry Christmas! Karen

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  12. Beautiful collection of angels Sandi as always your pink tea cups are a favourite of mine. Thank you for the reminder from the angels and the special roles they play in our day to day, yes she has a nice gown and wings.

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  13. Hi Sandi,
    what a lovely post. I've enjoyed reading it and looking at all the pretty photos of the Angels.

    I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. May all your dreams and wishes come true.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  14. Hello Sandi,
    Merry Christmas and god bless. I wanted to comment on the amount of snow we share, lol. And that we also couldn't make it to the bird feeders. I find the birds are ferocious this year so hungry. Nice you have finch for a surprise. Next surprise, I liked the wrong blog post yesterday and linked up today's post as well. They don't include much tea, however I've been busy and drinking a lot while I tidy up last minute details.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  15. Merry Christmas to you & your Family Sandi! Enjoy your Family time over the Holidays!

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  16. Absolutely stunning, Sandi. You have my favorite hue poinsettia.

    Merry Christmas to you and all those you hold dear.♥

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  17. Blessing to you and yours. May your day be filled with happiness and joy as the true meaning of Christmas fills your heart.
    Big hugs,
    Patti

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  18. Blessing to you and yours. May your day be filled with happiness and joy as the true meaning of Christmas fills your heart.
    Big hugs,
    Patti

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  19. Sandi,
    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!

    Thanks so much for hosting!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  20. Merry Christmas Sandi and much Christmas love. Thank you for hosting tea each week; it's become such a lovely part of my life. :)

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  21. wow...those birds still coming around in all the snow and cold. I hope your Christmas was wonderful Sandi.....I want to wish you His absolute best for 2014.....

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  22. Hi lovely lady.
    I also love your Beautiful post for Christmas. Thanks so much for hosting your party for us all and thanks for your sweet comments on my Tablescape. Hope you have a wonderful New Year with your family.
    Diane

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  23. Thanks for stopping by...hope your Christmas was wonderful.

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  24. Very beautiful post Sandi. Everything is perfect. I hope you had a nice Christmas and wish you a wonderful New Year.

    Janet

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  25. I am so happy to find your blog. I love china sets and tea cups. I have some on display and some in boxes. I love doing tea parties. Your photography is wonderful.

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  26. I just found your blog and have enjoyed reading your posts and joining you for tea. :) I was wondering, where would you recommend someone go to buy a love, tea cup like the ones you own? Thank you and Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  27. Such beautiful tea sets, just lovely.
    Hugs, Lynnie

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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