Posted on 12/26/2005 4:20:39 PM PST by snugs
The President made a statement offering sympathy on the first anniversary of the earthquake off the island of Sumatra that caused the violent tsunami in Asia last year.
The President and Mrs Bush have now departed from Camp David to spend the rest of the holiday in Crawford, Texas. Taking the dogs and cat with them.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
One year ago, an earthquake off the island of Sumatra caused a violent tsunami. The tsunami swept across the Indian Ocean and caused enormous destruction from Asia to the Horn of Africa. More than 200,000 men, women, and children lost their lives, and entire villages were destroyed. A year later, we remember those days of sorrow, and we also recall acts of courage and kindness as America and many other nations rallied to help those in need and provide urgent relief. Our Nation is proud of the efforts and generosity of our Armed Services, relief professionals, volunteers, and all those who made contributions to the relief effort. We remain committed to helping the citizens of affected nations rebuild their economies, communities, and lives. At this time of remembrance, the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with those who suffered from this tragedy. May God comfort all those affected by the tsunami and give them strength in the years ahead.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
President Bush and first lady, Laura, carry their dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley, respectively, before departing from Waco, Texas on Marine One on their way to their ranch in Crawford for the remainder of the holiday, Monday, Dec. 26, 2005. The first couple is scheduled to return to Washington after the New Year's holiday.
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It falls on December 26th, which is also St. Stephen's Day.
Stephen was the first Christian to be martyred for his faith, and he met his death by stoning. Acts 7 v 54 - 60.
There is also a popular Christmas Carol that refers to this day.
GOOD KING WENCESLAS
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, gathering winter fuel.
"Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling, Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?" "Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain, Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither, You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither." Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together, Through the cold wind's wild lament and the bitter weather.
"Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger, Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer." "Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly, You shall find the winter's rage freeze your blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted; Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing, You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.
THE HISTORY OF BOXING DAY
The holiday may date from as early as the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is not known. It may have begun with the Lords and Ladies of England, who gave Christmas boxes/gifts to their servants on December 26. Tradition here says that that food etc not used on Christmas Day was "boxed" up the following day and taken to the employees and tennants. Another theory is was started by priests, who opened the church's alms ("charity boxes"), and distributed the contents to the poor and needy.
Popular belief is that modern day Boxing Day is so called because on this day it was the customary for tradesmen to collect their Christmas boxes or gifts in return for good service throughout the year. Also, it included giving money and other gifts to charitable institutions, and the needy. Nowadays with tradesmen not working on Boxing Day many people give money to the dustmen, milkman, postman etc the week before Christmas. Some people may give Christmas fare such as homemade mince pies and sausages rolls instead of actual cash.
In England, this day has become part of the celebrations, of being with family. A day to visit other relations, and to have a rest from the day before, to play fun games. Some families, buy a new game each year or have traditional games that they play each year.
For many people it is the 2 days are a blessing rather than rushing all over the place one day you can visit your parents or have them at your house and the next day do the same with the in-laws or other family members.
St Stephen is the patron saint of horses, so Boxing Day became associated with horse-racing and hunting. Other sports are also held on this day like football and rugby.
My traditional Boxing Day especially in my teens and 20s was spent watching a local semi professional soccer game with dad, turkey sandwiches from the previous day's meal and a bag of sweets from the Christmas collection were taken with us to eat at the game. Mum and nan very often used to go out together for a lunch time meal whilst we were at the game.
Woohoo!
Hello Number One
Sorry double ping - got impatient and thought it had frozen.
President George W. Bush (L) carries his dog, Barney, while first lady Laura Bush carries her dog, Miss Beazley, before departing from Waco, Texas on Marine One for their Central Texas ranch in Crawford for the remainder of the holiday December 26, 2005. The first couple is scheduled to return to Washington after the New Year's holiday
President Bush carries Barney, before departing from Waco, Texas on Marine One for his ranch in Crawford for the remainder of the holiday, Monday, Dec. 26, 2005
President George W. Bush carries his dog, Miss Beazley, while an aide carries his cat, India, before departing Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington for their Central Texas ranch in Crawford for the remainder of the holiday December 26, 2005
Marine One (top), carrying U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush, takes off from Waco, Texas, for their Central Texas ranch in Crawford December 26, 2005
Happy Boxing Day, snugs! ((((hugs))))
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld spends Christmas Eve with soldiers in Mosul and helps out serving dinner
Hello how are you today?
Present!
And correct. How are you Dolly? How is Toby's pad?
I'm okay. How are you doing? And how's your dad?
Hi, Snugs! Hi everybody!
Thanks for the dose, and the background on Boxing Day.
I am watching a special on Discovery Channel about the tsunami, it's pretty awesome, thorugh the eyes of people's video cameras who were on the beaches that day.
Hey, snugs. How is everyone? We got home this afternoon from Memphis. My sister called a few minutes ago to tell me that a cousin had been found dead from a heart attack. He was a few years older than I. She also had good news. One of my nieces got engaged on Christmas Day. He told her and the rest of the family that he had left something in his car. He came back in and my niece was kneeling by the tree. He told her that the hunting and fishing would still continue but he had something for her. Her 2 daughters had gone with him to pick out the ring. How cool is that?
Thank you for the history of Boxing Day. Very interesting.
Here's wishing you peace, Snugs.
I hope you are doing ok. Thanks for the Boxing Day explanation.
I am so sorry snugs. I did not know. Like I said in another post, we just got back home this afternoon. May God bless you especially at this Christmas time of the year. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Love ya.
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