Happy Boxing Day!

Americans have never picked up on the great British tradition of Boxing Day, for some reason. What a pity! Boxing Day is the time to remember all those who are so helpful during the year: postal workers and delivery people, shopkeepers, gardeners, ministers, co-workers, tailors and dressmakers...in fact, just about anybody who isn't family or a close friend. Most member nations of the British Commonwealth still celebrate Boxing Day, as Americans did for some time after the birth of the United States.

Boxing Day continues the Twelve Days of Christmas, those celebrated in the ancient Christmas song. Instead of running the twelve days before Christmas, as most stores and even television networks would have you believe, the Twelve Days don't end on Christmas! They continue through New Year's to Epiphany,  January 6th, celebrating the arrival of the Magi to Bethlehem, bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

For those of you who try to keep the traditions of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, or Victorian eras alive, enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas! Don't let all the sales and returning of gifts that aren't quite right destroy what is supposed to be a joyous time of reflection and family. Take time to appreciate each other, and to remember that Christmas is just the beginning of Life!

Happy Boxing Day!