Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel
"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather
"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing
~Traditionally a Christmas song
The Feast of Stephen (St. Stephen's Day) is on December 26. The first clue that can be found to boxing day is in this song. The song was officially published in 1853, but music originates some 300 years earlier, in Finland.
King Wenceslas was the Duke of Bohemia in the 10th century. He was, based on the lyrics of this song, a good guy. St. Stephen's Day, the 26th of December, Boxing day, originated as a day of charity - a day when the English have traditionally given charity to the less fortunate.
Our good king, Wenceslas is not the origin of Boxing Day, he is just a good song. There are a couple of theories as to the origins of Boxing Day.
The first: Historically in England during Advent, Anglican parishes had a box for churchgoers to put monetary donations in. The day after Christmas, the boxes were opened and the contents distributed to the poor. That is why it is called Boxing Day.
Another: The day after Christmas was the day that the aristocracy distributed presents (boxes) to servants and employees. Since the gifts were in boxes, the day was called Boxing Day.
Boxing Day is a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland, Canada, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong (there are other countries that celebrate the holiday but where it is not recognized as a national holiday). Whatever the origin of the holiday, Boxing Day now bears no resemblance to the initial charitable day it once was. It has become a day similar to the USA Thanksgiving - a day to laze about, eat plenty, and watch a sporting event on TV.
If you wonder about Good King Wenceslas - he was assassinated by his brother Boleslaw (rhymes with coleslaw I guess).
Note: We have a Boxing Day celebration in our family. (That British son thing, you recall.) We get together, eat some good food, exchange gifts. There are no sporting events of note on 26 Dec. so no TV.
Something else I learned: Boxing Day has become something of a black Friday equivalent. Interesting evolution for a day that was once about charitable giving.
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