Some might think that this is the day when all the boxes, wrapping etc, and mess of Christmas Day get cleaned up. In our house it certainly is, if we haven’t done it yet. But that is not actually the meaning of Boxing Day. Boxing day is mentioned in the famous diary of Samuel Pepys', entry for 19 December 1663. So the tradition goes back to the 17th Century at least.

It was the Christmas Day of the poor. On Boxing Day the alms boxes of the Church were opened and all the money donated by the wealthy and middle class on Christmas Day would be distributed to the poor. Also British tradition is that the servants of the wealthy were allowed the day after Christmas Day to visit their families, since they would have to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Until the late 20th century there continued to be a tradition among many in the UK to give a Christmas gift today, (usually cash), to tradesmen who had served them well during the year. Eventually Boxing Day was declared a “Public Holiday”.

Servants having to work Christmas Day was not as bad as it sounds because this was only the 1st Day of Christmas, which officially lasts 12 days. The period begins with the birth of Christ on December 25th, Christmas Day, and ends with the coming of the Three Wise Men on January 6th, the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. Which explains a little the origin of the Christmas carol about the 12 days of Christmas. Speaking of Carols - Lets make the most of enjoying them over the next 12 days.

Many countries today observe St Stephen's Day, the memorial for the 1st Christian martyr, but New Zeland does so on 3rd August, Prayer 7s has however included today the Carol "Good King Wencesles" at Vespers, which begins "Good King Wencesles looked out on the Feast of Stephen" and ends by reminding us "Ye, who now will bless the poor, Shall yourselves find blessing." So if you can afford today to take advantage of all the Boxing Day sales - maybe you should think about making a donation of some of those savings you made to a Charity.