Dec 26: Boxing Day

Celebrated in Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica, U.K., Ireland.

It was once a day when the church's poor boxes were opened. In Britain, originally a day when gifts (boxes) are given to servants, tradespeople, or others who provide services.

clipped from multiculturalcalendar.com December 2008 clipped from www.castlearcana.com Boxing Day occurs annually on the day after Christmas, known in the Christian calendar as the Feast of Stephen (when Good King Wenceslaus looked out). In England, it was traditional for tradesmen and boys to pay holiday visits throughout the neighborhood, carrying boxes for the collection of coins. In a way, it was a little like tipping the mailman at Christmas. In keeping with the general idea of giving gifts to the poor, it was customary to distribute the contents of the alms box to the poor and needy on Boxing Day. And now for Good King Wenceslaus, who for all we may know, might have started the tradition of helping the poor on the Boxing Day: Therefore Christian men be sure, wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing