This story is a part of Martin & Sylvia's Twelve Days of Christmas Story Collection.

In these stories, Martin and Sylvia explore what it means to celebrate the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas," inspired by twelve delightful tales from 18th century Maine. Each story contains a "story-within-the-story" - about the colonial town of Tullyport as the founding families create Christmas traditions and celebrations that are unique, delightful and rich with community connection.

This story is Day Ten: Ten Pair by Twelfthnight.

It’s the 10th day of Christmas, and everyone is tired. There is work to do — errands to run — the house to clean — but no one wants to do it. When all four agree that a day at home enjoying each other’s company is the answer, they are suddenly not so tired!

From “Twelve Tales of a Tullyport Christmas”:“Ten Pair by Twelfthnight”

Armen Zinger is Tullyport’s newest cobbler. And oh, he has a hard job to do!Everyone in town wants new shoes before the Twelfthnight Dance, and his orders are piling up. Armen also has a secret: every night he leaves his work out, in hopes that the elves will come to his aid.But each morning, he finds that it is just as he left it the night before. Now, only a few days before the 12th, he must work non-stop, much to the disappointment of his children. Then, that night, something magical does happen, that transforms the whole family.

The story teaches the gift of slowing down and putting family first.