Today is Boxing Day, traditionally celebrated the day after Christmas in the United Kingdom and other British colonies such as New Zealand, and Australia. If you ever watched the television show Mash, you might remember the episode in which the enlisted start running the camp and the officers take over the grunt work.
Right now, it is a national holiday dedicated to eating more turkey, watch more games, and spend more time with family but that is not how it started.
Although there are three different theories on why the day became known as Boxing day, all three involve a box. The box was used to carry food, a bonus, and gifts the day after Christmas since all the servants had to work or the box was displayed so people would donate money to the church, or the box contained tips for trades people who had done a great job during the year.
It does not matter which story is right, only that it has become a national holiday in modern times. It is now a day where people try to swim the English Channel, participate in fun runs and charity events.
December 26th is not only boxing day but its also Saint Stephens day in other countries based on the Good King Wenceslaus. This is the day when they help out the poor much as they did on Boxing Day.
There are two Saint Stephen's in history, one is said to have been an early follower of Jesus who did for his beliefs and was one of the first martyrs in history while the other was a missionary in Sweden who loved all animals but loved horses even more. He also died a martyr. The second one seems to be responsible for the tradition of driving horses around the church on the 26th of December.
Saint Stephens is celebrated in Ireland and other countries where it is also known as Wren Day, Constitution day or Boxing day. I spent time in Australia but I was still in school and didn't pay attention to Boxing day because I was on holidays at Christmas and my father being a teacher was also off.
Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear. Have a great day.
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