Today is Boxing Day and, because it is the 26th December (Boxing Day isn't always 26th December but that ship probably sailed in terms of arguing the toss), it is the Feast of Stephen, the day Good King Wenceslas looked out.
Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Having been chosen by the apostles to wait at tables, to save the important people doing that, he ended up doing a long apologetic speech and being stoned to death for blasphemy, Saul looking on, pre-conversion and name-change and approving of his murder. I probably fall short of that level of Christian commitment although who knows, given the circumstances, which I hope I never am, might I?
I have always been Steve for as long as I can remember. Occasional aunties used Stephen, as did people in the north-east who prefer to call people by their full Christian name, preceded by 'our' if they are family. One or two friends and my dear wife call me Stephen when they are searching for my attention or deliberately trying to irritate me. It works.
I am glad to be Steve not Stephen. Thanks Mum and Dad.
Showing posts with label Boxing Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boxing Day. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Boxing Day. Or is it?
Some things we can be clear about. Today is December 26th and it is the feast of Stephen, first Christian martyr. But is it Boxing Day?
The Church Book and Desk Diary tells me Boxing Day is Monday 28th. Is it correct?
Boxing Day's etymology is to do with collecting Christmas Boxes. These were originally for the ragged poor but in Victorian times came to be for 'lesser' employees. Consequently in those times Boxing Day had to be a working day, so it couldn't be a weekend. Since Sunday was a day of worship the Christian church would not, in those days, allow a secular festival, to fall on a Sunday.
However these days most people call 26th December Boxing Day, Christmas tips are collected before Christmas and we simply move the Bank Holiday, which has become linked to it, to a Monday if December 26th falls on a Saturday.
I keep by me a copy of Chambers Etymological English Dictionary from 1964. It is a good place for research into the changing meaning of words. Even 40 years ago the simple definition of Boxing Day was, 'in England the day after Christmas, when boxes or presents are given.' But The Little Oxford Dictionary 1981 says, 'the first weekday after Christmas Day.'
Although it takes a while to change a custom or tradition we are living in the period when culture is changing. Today isn't, technically, Boxing Day, but the constant use of the term is beginning to determine that it is, or soon will be.
The Church Book and Desk Diary tells me Boxing Day is Monday 28th. Is it correct?
Boxing Day's etymology is to do with collecting Christmas Boxes. These were originally for the ragged poor but in Victorian times came to be for 'lesser' employees. Consequently in those times Boxing Day had to be a working day, so it couldn't be a weekend. Since Sunday was a day of worship the Christian church would not, in those days, allow a secular festival, to fall on a Sunday.
However these days most people call 26th December Boxing Day, Christmas tips are collected before Christmas and we simply move the Bank Holiday, which has become linked to it, to a Monday if December 26th falls on a Saturday.
I keep by me a copy of Chambers Etymological English Dictionary from 1964. It is a good place for research into the changing meaning of words. Even 40 years ago the simple definition of Boxing Day was, 'in England the day after Christmas, when boxes or presents are given.' But The Little Oxford Dictionary 1981 says, 'the first weekday after Christmas Day.'
Although it takes a while to change a custom or tradition we are living in the period when culture is changing. Today isn't, technically, Boxing Day, but the constant use of the term is beginning to determine that it is, or soon will be.
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