Our Christmas mantle decoration at The Glade doesn’t change much from year to year because it’s the perfect spot for our largest crèche (manger scene). This not-very-fancy porcelain set consists of the baby in the manger, Mary, Joseph, a shepherd with a lamb, a sheep, a donkey, and three wise men. Since it was the first one I ever owned, it’s not Christmas for me unless it’s unpacked and set out.
All the pieces on the mantle
I removed all the blue and green lights from a string of multicolored lights and replaced them with red and yellow lights because the costumes on the figurines were mostly in those colors.
Three Kings bearing gifts
To the mantle display I added some candlesticks with red pillar candles for height.
The red candles and brass candlesticks add interest to the arrangement.
And some greenery for fullness.
- The infant in the manger, Mary and Joseph
Then we turned out the lights in the room.
The Babe, Mary and Joseph
At each end of the mantle I put small photos of the family much like the wealthy Florentine families did during the Renaissance when they had their families painted into portraits of the life of Jesus.
A shepherd with his lamb and family photos
The mantle glows warmly.
The Wise Men from the East
All creatures are represented at the Holy Birth.
Even the animals were welcome at the birth of Christ
Sleep in heavenly peace.
The story of Christmas spread across the mantle at The Glade
Do you have some Christmas traditions that you’re just not willing to compromise? Even for the sake of beauty and decoration?
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