Boxing Day: Do you want to go a few rounds
in the Ring?
Boxing day is NOT a day to fight in a square
ring with boxing gloves on to knock the other person out or down.
It is an English custom. As the article
says:
“The name is a reference to holiday gifts. A
‘Christmas Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was
traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a
‘Christmas Box’ from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day
to give ‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families.
“The name is a reference to charity drives. A
box to collect money for the poor traditionally is placed in Churches on
Christmas day and opened the next day - Boxing Day.
“The name also refers to a nautical tradition.
Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money
on board for good luck. If the voyage was a success, the box was given to
a priest, opened at Christmas and given to the poor.
Boxing Day is the 26th December and is a
national holiday in the UK, Ireland and Canada.
The article also says:
“Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or
friends, usually those not seen on Christmas Day itself. In recent times, the
day has become synonymous with many sports. Horse racing is particularly
popular with meets all over the country. Many top football teams also play on
Boxing Day.
“Boxing Day is also a time when the British show
their eccentricity by taking part in all kinds of silly activities. These
include bizarre traditions including swimming the icy cold English Channel, fun
runs, and charity events.
In Ireland, Boxing Day falls on "St.
Stephen's Day". In past traditions, the so-called "Wren Boys."
would go out and stone wrens to death representing what had happened to St
Stephen. Thankfully, this tradition has now stopped, but the Wrens Boys still
dress up but instead parade around town and collect money for charity.
And, speaking of St. Stephen’s Day, we can talk
about a Christmas Carol that isn’t even about Christmas - Good King
Wenceslas. While frequently song at Christmas time and a good carol, it
is about King Wenceslas of
“Good King Wenceslas looked out
On
the feast of Stephen
When
the snow lay round about
Deep
and crisp and even
Brightly
shone the moon that night
Though
the frost was cruel
When
a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring
winter fuel
- And last
verse:
In
his master's steps he trod
Where
the snow lay dinted
Heat
was in the very sod
Which
the Saint had printed
Therefore,
every men, be sure
Wealth
or rank possessing
Ye
who now will bless the poor
Shall
yourselves find blessing
Seemingly
the good King Wenceslas as he walked through the snow, the snow melted around
his feet, and the poor man and servant could walk on bare ground
The
point is in the last two lines “You who bless the poor and find blessing”!!
At
this Christmas time (and all year around), remembering the poor and those in
need is a very good act!!! Did you give to charity this season?
In
the Catholic tradition, Christmas season starts on Christmas day and goes to Epiphany,
which is January 6th, and is when the Wise Men are honored for their gifts to
the baby Jesus (and is, twelve days after Christmas).
How
did you celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the Christmas Season? Do you
have particular traditions in your family?
Love!!
Karen
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