A Table of Grace: Holiday Meals, Family Traditions, and the Gift of Togetherness

There’s something sacred about a holiday meal. Long before the table is set or the candles glow softly in the evening light, the spirit of the day is already alive—in the kitchen, in our hearts, and in the memories that quietly rise as familiar aromas fill the air. These aren’t just meals; they’re chapters in the story of family.

I still remember being little and watching my Aunt gently press pie crust into a dish, or my grandmother humming beside a roasting pan that had surely seen more holiday dinners than some dining rooms. What I didn’t know then—but deeply understand now—is that the true heart of a holiday feast isn’t found in the perfect turkey or the prettiest dessert. It’s found in the time.

Time spent beside the ones we love.

Time to share stories we've heard a hundred times—but still laugh at.

Time to pause from the rush of life and simply be—together.

Tradition, One Ingredient at a Time

Traditions aren’t always loud or elaborate. Sometimes they begin quietly and grow year by year. Maybe it’s a favorite dish passed down through generations, the way everyone joins hands before a meal to pray, or how someone always sneaks a bite of dessert before dinner (every family has that person). These steady little rituals give us roots. They remind us not just of where we come from—but who we belong to.

And at the center of it all, we give thanks. Before plates are filled and laughter begins, I always pause to thank God—not just for the food, but for the sacred privilege of gathering. Because every holiday table is a gift, and every person seated at it is a blessing beyond measure.

A Timeless Holiday Recipe: Herb Butter Roasted Chicken

This is one of those simple, beautiful recipes that always feels special. It’s cozy, classic, and perfect for any holiday. Pair it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad—and the whole house will smell like love.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (4–5 lbs)

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

• Zest of 1 lemon

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 onion, quartered

• 2 carrots, cut into chunks

• 2 celery stalks, cut into chunks

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy.

3. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and gently loosen the skin over the breast with your fingers. Spread half the herb butter under the skin, and the rest all over the outside.

4. Stuff the cavity with onion, and place carrots and celery around the chicken in a roasting pan.

5. Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, basting halfway through, until juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

6. Let rest for 10 minutes before carving.

✅ Optional Add-On: Toss baby potatoes around the chicken with a drizzle of olive oil for a full one-pan meal.

Notes:

For perfectly juicy chicken and easy pan drippings for gravy, I love using a stone bar pan like this one from Pampered Chef—it creates even heat and beautifully golden skin.

Grace Before the Meal

Before serving, we pause— hearts grateful:

Heavenly Father, thank You for this day and for the gift of family and fellowship. Bless the hands that prepared this meal, bless those gathered here, and bless those we love who are far from us. May our home be filled with peace, joy, and Your presence today and always. Amen.

Holiday meals are never just about food—they are about remembering what matters most: loving well, serving joyfully, keeping traditions alive, and giving thanks to the One who provides every good thing. May your table this season be filled with warmth, with laughter, and with grace that lingers long after the dishes are done.

Let me know if you decide to try the recipe =).

XO,

Marie~