Traditionally, Boxing Day is a secular holiday, and though there are a lot of theories about where the term 'boxing' came from, the tradition has long included giving money and other gifts to those who are in need.
Historic mentions of Boxing Day include one from diarist Samuel Pepys, who recorded in his entry for 19 December 1663:
'Thence by coach to my shoemaker’s and paid all there, and gave something to the boys’ box against Christmas.'
Boxing Day was known as Saint Stephen's Day after the first Christian martyr (Stephen was Greek and his death by stoning must have haunted Saul of Tarsus who witnessed it).It is still known as such in Ireland. In my own little country of Scotland, now so aggressively secular, I always say Saint Stephen's Day when most people say Boxing Day. It is not a matter of being cussed. I wish to see our western societies rechristianised. It's a small start.
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