Part 1: my MIL's versions of the 12 days

12 Days of Christmas -- give a piece of a nativity and a corresponding scripture everyday:

Day 1 - Dec 13 Star
Matthew 2:9-10 "...and lo the star which they saw in the east."
(can use star ornament or make star-shaped cookies)

Day 2 - Dec 14 Angel
Luke 2:10-14 "Glory to God in the highest."

Day 3 - Dec 15 Mary
Luke 1: 45-49 "...from thenceforth all generations shall call me blessed."

Day 4 - Dec 16 Wise Man 1
Matthew 2:11 "Gold, frankincense and myrrh..."

Day 5 - Dec 17 Cow
Song, "Away in the Manger," "The cattle are lowing..."

Day 6 - Dec 18 Wise Man 2
Matthew 2:8 "Go and search diligently..."

Day 7 - Dec 19 Joseph
Luke 2:4 "And Joseph also went up..."

Day 8 - Dec 20 Shepherd
Luke 2:8-9 "...there were in the same country shepherds abiding..."

Day 9 - Dec 21 Donkey
Song (LDS Primary Childrens Songbook p. 38) "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem," "He urged the donkey onward..."

Day 10 - Dec 22 Wise Man 3
Matthew 2:1-2 "There came wise men..."

Day 11 - Dec 23 Sheep
3 Nephi 15: ...ye are my sheep...

Day 12 - Dec 24 Jesus
Isaiah 9:6 "For unto you a child is born..."

Matthew 2:9-10
"And, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."

Luke 2:10-14
"And the angel said unto them Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will toward men."

Luke 1: 45-49
"And blessed she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."

Matthew 2:11
"And when they were come into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother and fell down and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures they presented unto him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh."

"Away in a Manger" (LDS Hymn #206)
"The cattle are lowing the poor baby wakes but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes."

Matthew 2:8
"And he sent them to Bethlehem and said Go and search diligently for the young child: and when ye have found him bring me word again that I may come and worship him."


Luke 2:4
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judaea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and lineage of David."

Luke 2:8-9
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.And the angel of the Lord came upon them and they glory of the Lord shown round about them: and they were sore afraid."

"When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" (LDS Primary Childrens Songbook p. 38)
"He urged the donkey onward then with Mary on his back..."

Matthew 2:1-2
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him."

3 Nephi 15:24
"But behold ye have both heard my voice and seen me: and ye are my sheep and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me."

Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful The Mighty God The Everlasting Father The Prince of Peace."

3rd day of the twelve days of Christmas

So it is the third day and this is what came to us from the 12-day elves.
A loaf of French bread, butter, grape jelly and a pot holder.

The note reads:

Night three arrives, but we are not in France,
And three French hens don't come by chance.
So just for you we have given to thee,
A loaf of French bread to eat (jam and butter are Key).

The kids are excited; they want to eat this for breakfast. Somehow this beats homemade pancakes, bacon and eggs, and apple juice for breakfast - go figure. It is a special treat just like no other and it came as a gift, and that is all that mattered to them.

If you want to 12 day someone

I posted the Journey back in 2006; there are two pages of posts that are in this topic. Go to the oldest post first and then read through them to the newest post. It is a 12-day thing, too, but instead of taking food to people you take a piece of a nativity each night to the family or person you are twelve daying. I will post more of these as we get into the season. My MIL has sent me two versions that her family did as my husband grew up; they called it pixieing (you know, like pixie dust). You knock on the door and run like crazy to not get caught. I am posting a link on the side bar labeled Christmas 12 days I will add The journey and the current 12 daying happening to me and the ones my MIL sent as I post them to this, so if people want to come back and find them easily they can. Under popular tutorials I have also posted a Poinsettia with these same links; either way works to find all the 12 dayed items.

2nd day of the twelve days of Christmas

My kids are having so much fun with this, and I am, too. I know it is only two nights, but we had fun trying to guess what the next day's item would be. We actually guessed right. The kids got all excited about having chocolate. They know mom is to answer the door and that I will go real slow so as to not spoil the kids' fun of getting stuff and not seeing the givers. Not to be weird, but this was the year I sort of needed this type of thing happening in my life. Long story short, it has been a rough year, and I haven't posted about much of it at all. But whoever is doing this for my family is a very dear soul, and I thank them just for the fun it brings to my kids' day. Thanks!!!

Tonight's gift was Dove chocolates and Hershey kisses in a gift bag with a cute red bow and a note.

Tonight's card reads:

Tonight we have turtles and doves coming your way.
Eat all the chocolate, it's all yours, we say.
How grateful we are that you're playing our game.
We hope that you didn't look out when we came.