Here is the explanation of Boxing Day that put up on the dose I thought maybe the finest would like to see it, I will also put it on yesterday's thread as well
Happy Boxing Day. This maybe a term that many Americans are not familar with in this case let me explain. Boxing Day is the day that follows Christmas Day and in Britain is a public holiday. So for example this year Monday 26th is a holiday in Britain and then the 27th is also a public holiday in lieu of Christmas Day because that fell on the Sunday.
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.
