Jesus folded His napkin

The use of linens goes back for centuries, yet they get only “special occasion” use in most households today.  Jesus even gave us a clue to His travel schedule, i.e. His Return, in how He left the linen cloth in the tomb after the Resurrection (John 20:1-9).  Here John records that the Resurrection has happened, Mary Magdalene has been to the tomb and returned to tell the other disciples what she saw.  When Peter enters the tomb he sees “the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head.  The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.”  So what?  The linen strips “lying there” indicate that Jesus did rise up out of them, as opposed to unwrapping them from around His body.  The burial cloth folded next to the strips is a clue to the Hebrews of the day, emulating their Master to servant relationship in the table clearing custom.  At this time, it was customary for the servant to prepare the master’s table exactly how he wanted it.  The servant would not disturb, or clear the table until he knew the master was finished with the meal, and was not coming back.  Should the master leave the table, finished and not returning, he would throw his napkin, wadded up, on the table.  If the master intended to return to the table, he would carefully fold his napkin and place it next to his plate.  Similarly, Jesus carefully folded his burial cloth (napkin), placed it next to his linen strips, indicating that He will return!  His message, “I am coming back”, would have been understood by all Jewish people at the time of the Resurrection.

This wonderful illustration makes the use of fine linens even more enjoyable!  In the last several weeks I have had the pleasure of using many of my grandmother’s and great-great aunt’s beautiful linens as we have celebrated a variety of milestones and achievements.  In so doing, proper cleaning comes into play.  Below are some photos of beautiful linens and their sources, as well as some cleaning tips for fine linens.

Cleaning tips:

1. Immediately after you beautifully entertain with your fine linens, soak them in cold water overnight.

2. Make a solution of Oxyclean and cold water to soak again to remove any stains, and to brighten yellowed items. Oxyclean is non-chlorine and will not damage the fibers.  Always use a non-chlorine product.  Lemon juice and salt is another stain removing trick.  thelaundress.com also has tips and products that look tempting!

3. Rinse thoroughly and roll between a terry cloth towel to get as much moisture out as possible.

4. Iron linens while still damp on the backside of the linen.  (You may line dry them in the sun, or on low in the dryer.  You will need to dampen them again to iron them later.)

5. Store folded in acid free paper, in an acid free box.  (Container Store has several sizes)

Click here for a Martha Stewart video with a few more cleaning product ideas for removing rust and other stains.

Now, for the eye candy!

The following are from pioneerlinens.com

The following are from horchow.com

The following are from schweitzerlinen.com

Set your table for the royalty in your life, especially if it not a “special occasion”!