On the Second Day of Christmas: Good King Wenceslas
Today is the Feast of St. Stephen or Boxing Day.
“This day has the additional title "Boxing Day", and it is a holiday in several countries. There are various explanations for this name, but they all boil down to the idea that this is a day to be generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself. The day celebrates the first person to give his life for the sake of Christ, St. Stephen, who was also one of the first deacons ordained to serve the poor. Archbishop Thomas Becket has something to say about him which you can read today, or save for the 29th. Another saint who is closely associated with this day is St. Wenceslas of Bohemia whose charity to the poor is remembered in John Mason Neale's wonderful carol. The day after Christmas is a particularly good day to put the fabled "spirit of giving" into practice. Take time today to perform an act of charity. If you make end-of-the-year gifts to charities, write the checks today. Remembering St. Stephen, as well as our Lord's own sacrifice, this would be a good day to give blood if the donation center is open. Charity can take many forms. Whatever form yours takes, make sure to sing or whistle "Good King Wenceslaus" while you are doing it! St. Stephen's Day is a Prayer Book Holy Day, a day on which one should also participate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Watch: Good King Wenceslas, the traditional tale, retold by Alice Peebles, illustrated by Peter Dennis, read by Sheila Hancock
Read: Psalm 31; Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15; Acts 6:8--7:2a,51c-60; Matthew 23:34-39
Pray: Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Feast of St. Stephen
"We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen."
Do: Keep giving.
{An excerpt from my post 12 Ways To Savor the 12 Days of Christmas.}
What I’ve read about Boxing Day sounds sort of like a medieval version of Undercover Boss. Or the servant's ball at Downton Abbey. However you choose to interpret the meaning of this tradition, find a way to notice those you take for granted, give to those who rarely receive, serve the servers. If you’re out and about today, take along some small gifts to hand out to the clerks, cashiers, attendants, wait staff, baristas, cab drivers, toll booth operators, and others who work in the service industry of your city.
If nothing else, try to make eye contact with each person you meet today. Smile and say "Merry Christmas!"
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