The day after Christmas Day is celebrated as “Boxing Day” in England, Australian, New Zealand and Canada. The modern day interpretation is that this is a day to return unwanted gifts to the store and get in on the good after-holiday sales! But the origins of Boxing Day as an official holiday date back to the middle of the nineteenth century. Tradesmen and service people would often work on Christmas Day, and have the day after Christmas off to spend with their families. When they left for home, their employers would give them a Christmas box filled with money, food and gifts as thanks for the reliable services they provided throughout the year. This traditional celebration also included giving money and other gifts to charitable organizations and people in need. Priests would open their charity boxes on this day and distribute the contents to the poor. I like this tradition of giving. We get so much, in abundance, over the holidays. What can we box up and share with others who really need it? |
