When I saw Julie’s question about Boxing Day:
I smiled. I’ve got you covered, Julie.
My friend James has a wonderful post about Boxing Day, and all things Christmas on his Why Christmas site.
Here’s a few takeaways, but read the post to get the full background:
- Boxing Day is celebrated December 26, the day after Christmas
- Its roots date back to the Middle Ages, almost 800 years ago, in the United Kingdom. Alms boxes were opened so the content could be distributed to those in need.
- In the past, servants would get the day off to celebrate Christmas with their families
- Pre-World War II, delivery people would collect their Christmas tip or box from their delivery places
- Boxing Day is a public holiday in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
Celebrating Boxing Day isn’t common in the United States. But it’s well known in my community.
Boxing Night at Geneva Presbyterian Church
I first learned about Boxing Day from Geneva Presbyterian Church, where we attended church for several years.
For over 20 years, Geneva Presbyterian held a Boxing Night clothing drive for the homeless, starting December 26 and ending the first week of January.
Teens at the church spent the night in the church parking lot in boxes to raise awareness for the homeless. You can see photos from Boxing Night 2012 on Geneva’s Facebook page.
Everyone in the community is encouraged to bring clothing, blankets, and toiletries which are taken to Fort Street Presbyterian Church Open Door Ministry to the homeless in Detroit.
Many years, the stayover night is super cold. We’ll drive by the church parking lot, and see teens and adults huddled around the fire in a trashcan in the below-freezing weather.
The event has changed in recent years to be a clothes collection drive for the homeless.
Julie, to answer your other question about how we spend Boxing Day: our family gathers items to donate to Geneva Presbyterian.
