Happy Boxing Day!

Because Pastor Allen spent part of his childhood in Australia, it seems fitting to recognize Boxing Day here on Dove Mountaineers. I was also exposed to this uniquely British holiday when I lived in the Crown Colony of Hong Kong.

Boxing Day was traditionally a day when gifts were given by the upper class to members of the lower class on the day after Christmas. By the twentieth century, the custom was extended to all classes giving gifts of cash to those in service occupations: milkman, paper carrier, sanitation workers, and so on.

Somewhat lesser known is that December 26th is also St. Stephen's Day. You may remember from Acts 6 that Stephen was a deacon in the early church, as well as the first Christian martyr. Stephen's stoning was overseen by Saul of Tarsus before Christ met him on the Jericho road, transforming him into the Apostle Paul.

The song "Good King Wenceslas" mentions the "Feast of Stephen." Although this is always thought of as a "Christmas" carol, it really refers to the day after Christmas. And now you know...the rest of the story!

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, tho' the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath'ring winter fuel.

"Hither, page, and stand by me, if thou know'st 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 flesh, and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither."
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together;
Through the rude 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, good my page. Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage freeze thy 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,
Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.