I used a standard nativity set, but got creative with a few additions to round it out to 25 days. The additions are mostly items I had on hand, or I easily made. The additional items include a heart, some swaddling cloth (strips of ribbon), the name Jesus (I wrote it out), a company of angels (I made a window cling, but a drawing would work great!), two doves (we add these to the tree when we open them), a star (this was an ornament) & a cross on Christmas Day. The first year I gave a cross necklace, but in the following years it has been a cross ornament we add to the tree.

I also use a stable that I found at Hobby Lobby. It was a nice way to upgrade the standard children's nativity set.

I wrap each piece in tissue paper, along with the printed verse, and tie on the accompanying number. I also fold and store the wrapping as they open them to reuse it each year.

When I compiled these verses, I put a lot of thought into the order of the pieces. For the sake of the Christmas story baby Jesus gets opened on Day 7, because then the Shepherds, Star, Wisemen, etc. come afterwards. It does close with a cross on the 25th and what this symbolizes in Christianity.

You could absolutely start this at anytime if you wanted to open Jesus on the 25th and have the wise men arrive on January 6th, the Epiphany. You could also open this all in one day. I could see this as an activity that could especially work well with older children.

Bible verses have been selected across the following translations to tie in to the nativity and for children’s understanding: CEV- Contemporary English Version, ICB- International Children’s Bible, ERV- Easy-to-Read Version, NET- New English Translation

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