Posted on 12/26/2023 3:27:46 PM PST by nickcarraway
Boxing Day is traditionally held the day after Christmas
Boxing Day is a public holiday celebrated in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Why is it called Boxing Day?
Boxing Day originated as a day when servants, tradespeople and the poor were given gifts, according to Britannica.
The origin of the name has varied, with some believing it started when churches would leave alms boxes to collect donations for those less fortunate.
Others say Boxing Day started when employers would give their employees boxes of gifts the day after Christmas because servants were required to work on Christmas day.
It has nothing to do with the sport of boxing.
How is Boxing Day celebrated?
Since Boxing Day is a public holiday in the countries where it is celebrated, most people have the day off from work and school. Families will gather together for meals, relax at home, attend sporting events and/or go shopping.
Traditional Boxing Day food includes baked ham, pease pudding, and mince pies.
When is Boxing Day 2023?
Boxing Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.
However, if Dec. 26 falls on a Saturday, the holiday moves to the following Monday.
Which countries celebrate Boxing Day?
Some of the countries where Boxing Day is celebrated include England, Wales, Northern Ireland, as well as some of England's former colonies and Commonwealths like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and South Africa.
Do Americans celebrate Boxing Day?
No, Americans do not typically celebrate Boxing Day. Boxing Day is not observed as a national holiday in the U.S.
Boxing Day is also known as St. Stephen's Day Dec. 26 (Boxing Day) is also the feast day of St. Stephen, or St. Stephen’s Day.
St. Stephen is the patron saint of horses, Britannica states. Boxing Day is also a day of sporting events, including horse racing, foxhunting and rugby.
There’s an episode of M*A*S*H where some British officers on Christmas Day mention Boxing Day, and Potter decides it would be good for morale. He declares that the next day officers will switch places with enlisted and draftees. The first switch is Potter himself who becomes company clerk under “Colonel” Maxwell Klinger. Hilarity ensues!!
MASH was a crappy show with two of the most obnoxious liberal turds as the stars.
Informative/educational. Thanks for posting.
There we’re way too many poor people in the British empire when they were at the top of the world.
Think of the classics such as Howards End and A Passage to India. All about class. Perhaps it was obvious. Even Pride And Prejudice. I could go on and on.
“Boxing Day” is the Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God!
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/12/26/103648-synaxis-of-the-most-holy-mother-of-god
Troparion
O Most Pure Mother of God, your holy Synaxis is adorned with many diverse splendors; / and gifts are brought to you by many peoples of the world, O Lady Theotokos. / In your mercy, loosen the bonds of our sinfulness, and save our souls.
Kontakion
He Who was begotten before the morning star by the Father without a mother / is incarnate of you today on earth without a father. / Therefore, a star announces the glad tidings to the Magi, / while Angels and shepherds sing of your undefiled child-bearing, O you who are full of grace.
Yes, it is appropriate to give gifts to servants and the poor on this day, in honor of the Mother of God!
It’s when you capture your neighbors, wrap them in boxes, then their families must do ritual battle to claim their relatives back.
A glorious occasion to be sure!
When they were little, my kids used to joke about Catbox Day. And so every time kitty went to the box. she was “boxing”’.
RE: churches gave alms....
Rich politicians relax under palms
on trips paid by bribes but have no qualms
they just go on with aplomb
Christians give alms
read lines from the Psalms
and give gifts to dad and mom
while Muslims plant bombs
It’s the day people box up all of their Amazon returns. :)
Sometimes my cat thinks outside the box.
When we lived in London, we were told that BOXING DAY, was the day that UNWANTED presents were re-wrapped and boxed and given to the servants.
When we lived in London, we were told that BOXING DAY, was the day that UNWANTED presents were re-wrapped and boxed and given to the servants.
I love that M*A*S*H episode. I’ll have to hunt that one up and watch it again.
Thanks for the laugh.
“or St. Stephen’s Day”
St Stephen with a rose
In and out of the garden he goes.
It is not just the implications, but the substance of Christ entering His creation in human flesh in order to suffer the Cross as the one and only sufficient sacrifice for the sin of the world, that causes those who hear and believe this glad tiding to box up their own substance and give it to those in need. It is part of living soberly, but does not come naturally.
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