"While no one seems to know for sure how it came to be called Boxing Day, it definitely has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. Perhaps the most widely held understanding of its origins comes from the tradition of wealthier members of society giving servants and tradesmen a so-called Christmas Box containing money and gifts on the day after Christmas. It was seen as a reward for a year's worth of service."
"Other believe it comes from the post-Christmas custom of churches placing boxes outside their doors to collect money for distribution to less-fortunate members of society in need of Christmas cheer. Some trace it to Britain's proud naval tradition and the days when a sealed box of money was kept on board for lengthy voyages and then given to a priest for distribution to the poor if the voyage was successful."
Boxing Day is a secular national holiday observed the day after Christmas in Britain, Australia, Canada and other Commonwealth countries. The name has uncertain origins and is not related to the sport of boxing. Explanations include wealthier households giving servants and tradesmen a Christmas Box of money and gifts, churches placing boxes to collect charity for the needy, and a naval practice of keeping a sealed voyage box later distributed to the poor. Some link the practice to Roman money-collection customs brought to Britain. The tradition grew during the Victorian era and continues in varied modern forms.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]