"12 Days of Christmas" blog series wrap-up + The Christmas Story!!

(***Note: I'm scheduling this ahead of time so that I can spend all of Christmas with my family. <3 If I'm on at all today it'll be late tonight.) 

 Well everyone, this is it! 12 Days of Christmas ends today. Wow, it doesn't seem possible! Over the last two weeks we've had so much fun and I hate to see it go. But all good things must come to an end. Who knows? Maybe we'll do this again next year! :)

Today's Christmas fun!! :) I'm going to assume that you all are spending Christmas with family and friends, but here's the blogs where Christmas post should be appearing today. These, however, aren't direct links because I'm doing this ahead of time. ;) 

~ Visit Whimsical Writings for the conclusion of Jesseca's story! 

~ Visit Rebekah Ashleigh's blog for a Christmas Bible verse! 

~ Visit Counting Your Blessings One by One for a special guest post! 

Below is a picture that I've been meaning to share with you all for over a week now. When we were out of town overnight (I mentioned this before, I believe) we saw lots of beautiful Christmas lights! Every year in this certain town, they set up the "12 Days of Christmas" down the middle of the four-lane. And I took a picture of this to share with y'all! It seemed to fit our blog series quite well. ;) 

I'm including a list of all the post that everyone did during these past 12 days. I think y'all can figure out by the dates which ones are up today. ;) 

Also if you missed any of them, click the link and check them out! :-) 

~ Jesseca Dawn ~ 

Thank you for being such an active participant in this blog series, Jesseca. It was great to have someone else posting daily and I always enjoy your posts. :) Your sweet comments never fail to brighten my day! 

Dec. 14th --- Introduction and the story behind "I'll be Home for Christmas"

Dec. 15th --- Christmas movie review...times two! 

Dec. 16th --- Christmas book review

Dec. 17th --- Christmas recipe

Dec. 18th --- "A Christmas Miracle" 

Dec. 19th --- "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

Dec. 20th --- Christmas-y Tag

Dec. 21st --- "I'll be Home for Christmas" Part 1

Dec. 22nd --- "I'll be Home for Christmas" Part 2

Dec. 23rd --- "I'll be Home for Christmas" Part 3

Dec. 24th --- "I'll be Home for Christmas" Part 4

~ Rebekah Ashleigh ~ 

Rebekah, thank you so much for being a part of all this. To have only been around the 'blogosphere' for a couple of months, you've had some great posts! I always enjoy our discussions of Amish books, etc. ;) 

Dec. 14th --- Introduction and book review

Dec. 16th --- Christmas candy

Dec. 17th --- Christmas movie review

Dec. 19th --- Christmas book review

Dec. 20th ---  "What Child is This?"

Dec. 22nd --- Christmas short story challenge

Dec. 23rd --- Christmas movie review

Dec. 24th --- Christmas-y Tag!

~ Rebekah Eddy ~ 

You're contributions were greatly appreciated, Rebekah. I loved your amazing story about the Rosset family and your poetry is absolutely beautiful. :-) Thank you!! 

Dec. 14th --- "God is There" : A Song

Dec. 16th --- "God Will Provide" : A Christmas Story

Dec. 18th --- "God Will Provide" Part 2

Dec. 20th --- "God Will Provide" Part 3

Dec. 22nd --- "Don't Forget!" Christmas poem

Dec. 24th --- "God Will Provide" Part 4 

~ Lauren Stoner ~ 

Lauren, thank you for your participation. Your dear story about an early Christmas in the Hansen family was so sweet. :) We need to have another chat soon! 

Dec. 16th --- "Joy to the Wordl"

Dec. 21st --- "A Hansen Christmas Story"

~ Blessing Counter ~ 

Thank you so much for the time and posts you've contributed. The 'pen-name' Blessing matches you perfectly. :)   

Dec. 14th --- "Silent Night"

Dec. 17th --- Christmas Cookies

Dec. 21st --- Pizza Making!

Dec. 22nd --- Christmas Book Review

Dec. 23rd --- Christmas-y tag

Dec. 24th --- Christmas Album Review

~ Amy Lane ~ 

Amy, thank you for you eager participation! I'm sorry that you didn't get to be in on all of this until later, but I'm glad you contributed anyway. :) 

Dec. 18th --- A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Dec. 19th --- Two Turtle Doves

Dec. 20th --- Three French Hens

Dec. 21st --- Four Calling Birds

Dec. 22nd --- Five Golden Rings

Dec. 23rd --- Six Geese a layin'

Dec. 24th --- Seven Swans a swimming

*****

Now for the true reason for the season... 

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 

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:) 

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 

          ~ Luke 2:1-20 KJV

from Pinterest. I found this picture to be SO sweet!! Joesph kissing Mary and Mary kissing Baby Jesus <3 *smiles* 

~ Christmas Quote ~

 After blogging for twelve days straight, I'm going to be taking a break. From now through New Years, I'm just going to enjoying life, reading new books, and maybe I'll try to prepare myself for the dismal fact that 'real life' is returning. *sigh* Oh, well... ;) 

See y'all later! Have a blessed Christmas and happy New Years!! :D 

Sisters in Christ, 

~Faith