December 26 is Called Boxing Day, the Feast of St Stephen, or the Second Day of Christmas...Enjoy It !

December 26 is the second day of Christmas in most of Europe. It's called Boxing Day in Britain and the Commonwealth, not because of the sport, but because the English traditionally took boxes of cakes and sweets and gifts to offer when they visited friends on the day after Christmas. • Boxing Day in England was also traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give ‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families. • Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends, usually those not seen on Christmas Day itself. With guests often stopping in for a snack and quick drink, the food and drink on Boxing Day are more relaxed than Christmas Day. Lunch can be a buffet or leftovers from Christmas dinner. Baked Ham is a popular Boxing Day meat and mince pies with brandy butter or a slice of Christmas cake are almost obligatory. • The European tradition, which has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages, but its exact origin is unknown. It is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor. Also, it may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era, when metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen, which in the Western Church falls on the same day as Boxing Day. • In recent times, the day has become synonymous with many sports in Britain. Horse racing is particularly popular with meets all over Britain. Many top football teams also play on Boxing Day. • Boxing Day is also a time when the British show their eccentricity by taking part in all kinds of silly activities. These include traditions like swimming the icy cold English Channel, fun runs, and charity events. • Another ‘sport’ to emerge in recent years is shopping. Sadly, what was once a day of relaxation and family time is now also the start of the after-Christmas sales. Sales used to start in January after New Year, but now, grabbing a bargain and shops trying to off-load stock has turned Boxing Day into a "Black Friday" of sorts. • In Ireland and many continental European countries, Boxing Day is known as "St. Stephen's Day" and is famous for its "Wren Boys." St. Stephen was killed, purportedly stoned to death, for believing in Jesus. In Ireland, the Wren Boys originally would go out with blackened faces and stone wrens to death, and carry their catch around the town knocking on doors and asking for money. This barbaric act has long since vanished, but the Wrens Boys will still dress up and parade around town, often playing music and singing, collecting money for charity. In Europe, they are often called Mummers • And so we take one more day to celebrate Christmas. Normal blogs will begin again tomorrow.