Beautiful Craftsman

A beautiful dome covered one section of the restored old hotel. Our little group of visitors admired the skill of the artists that created this lovely window to the sky, allowing natural light to flood the lobby. Everywhere we looked we saw evidence of artistry. As well as stained glass, we observed skillfully installed marble surfaces and wood inlays. From windows decorated with glass flowers to marble covered surfaces, the building was beautiful, representing much skill and lots of money. Each year at Christmas time, this lovely setting is enjoyed by groups who came for the old-fashioned tradition of “High Tea”. This entails a formality of setting and service as well as traditional food choices, all centered around lots of delicious tea. Groups of people came to enjoy the ritual. Decked out for a Christmas time tea, all ages gathered to enjoy an elegant tea party in an unusual setting with elaborate Christmas decorations.

Even in our busy world, full of short cuts and an emphasis on quick, there is a place where formal traditions and elegant settings set the stage for dignified enjoyment. Taking time out to enjoy eye pleasing settings and delight in pleasant tastebud stimulation gives us an appreciation for old fashioned pleasures. We can thank God for the preservation or restoration of some beautiful places which provide some moments of quiet dignity, opportunities for shared traditions, and time to enjoy a restful activity. God can use moments like this to restore our appreciation for some out-of-the ordinary pleasures of old and to enjoy some traditions of the past that restore our appreciation for the present. Beauty combined with traditions can increase our gratitude toward God and His wonderful faithfulness to us.