Ms. Boylan, I've always enjoyed learning the origins of traditions, so I had some understanding of Boxing Day, but here you've filled it out so well. Thank You.
One of the things I regret about the holidays is how so much preparation goes into just one day of celebration. While I think the old ways of making it twelve days long would be too much, wouldn't it be lovely if people were given just a bit more time to enjoy their families and friends? One thing's for certain, there wouldn't be such a letdown on Dec. 26th.
At any rate, thank you for your writings throughout the year, and I add my hope to yours that you'll be seeing your daughter again before too long. Perhaps we'll be reading about your trip to Australia in 2019?
34
My family adopted a variant of the 12 days of Christmas with Church and gifts on December 25 and the feast on December 26. Lights and decorations stay up until Jan 6. Leftovers forever! We enjoy the pieces of the celebration much more this way.
18
I was brought up in the UK and the local dialect used the term "Christmas box" to refer to a Christmas gift. They were traditionally exchanged the day after Christmas to ensure Christmas day remained a religious festival.
It is also notable that the idea of giving something at Christmas derives from the providing of fresh fruit, a rare commodity in northern European winters in the middle ages, to children to protect from scurvy. The idea of descending a chimney and placing them in a stocking hanging on their bed is from the idea that they sometimes had to be discreetly given to the children to prevent the parents taking them.
19
I’m amazed that no one has commented about the Christmas Carol, GOOD KING WENCESLAS. In the first verse, the Feast Of Stephen is mentioned. What follows is a story which explains the goal of St. Stephen’s Day, or Boxing Day (whichever you call it). The last of several narrative verses observes that “he who helps the poor will himself be blessed”... the essence of this Day in a nutshell.
42
Lovely reflections, Jennifer. All the Christmases of my youth were spent in West Clare. A visit from the Wren Boys was a constant on the always frosty evening of Dec. 26th. Little did I know that the few coppers we proffered for the song, dance and tin whistle routine might have funded a round at the Pub. How my Dad would have enjoyed that. Thanks for the memories.
15
Twas the day after Christmas - And nothing has changed.
2
In parts of England, Boxing day is when the children visit their grandparents
3
JFB is a joy to read, new insights and correlations on myriad subjects.
4
A touching review of bygone era and present day realities for some. There is nothing more heart rending than the last sight for who knows how long of a beloved child. Then the tv news comes on, with pictures of children being kept in cages, and these reminiscences are devalued, even if unfairly, by comparison.
6
I had a friend that owned a retail store. He called December 26, “National Return Day “.
2
"As a Christian, I can promise you I fall short in lots of ways, especially in my consistent failure to treat other people with the love and grace they deserve."
If the Christians I've known are an indication, you have a lot of company in that failure. I think most of them are in it for the believed post-life perks.
2
Poor St. Stephen, martyred for his faith, only to be reduced to the status of a anticipatory icon of fresh air spirituality. Heard a fine sermon today on St. Stephen. It was in church. Is that alright?
2
Beautiful lyrical writing. A correction of the Times's erratum: Jennifer was right in her original quoting of Robert Hunter's line from the Grateful Dead's "St. Stephen"--it is in fact "country garland in the wind and the rain," not "country garden." See David Dodd's authoritative, enlightening (and fun) site annotating Grateful Dead lyrics http://artsites.ucsc.edu/GDead/agdl/stephen.html#saint
Or have a close listen to any of the countless live recordings of the Hunter/Garcia song.
4
I worked for a notoriously cheap Swedish man that owned a Scandinavian deli on second ave in the 50s in the mid 1970s. He made at least 40% of his money in the month leading up to Christmas, running us employees ragged for a solid month. Fortunately he was married to a English woman that insisted he gave us Boxing Day off with pay, otherwise it would have been back to work.
4
I loved this piece--esp. the references to Steeleye Span and the Dead. As a retired English professor, I'm positive that the world would be better with more English and Humanities professors. Even the top IT companies say that Humanities majors have better critical skills to learn and grow in a fast-changing industry, while STEM majors can't.
I'm surprised none of the comments mention "Christmas gifts" in Faulkner's fiction. No St. Stephen, not day after Christmas, but the same idea. On Christmas Day, the slaves would go up to the Big House, crying "Chistmahs gifts! Christmahs gifts!"with their hands out stretched. Massah would drop coins into their palms.
3
Being a pre-WWII baby in England, I do remember many years with a huge Christmas tree (maybe not so huge considering my size at the time) in the living room. The entire family lived in a big, old, leased house (circa. 1850) with very high ceilings that accommodated the fir tree. Said tree did get dry rather fast, and as we had candle holders clipped to the branches with real candles, I have no idea why it didn't burn down!
6
Thanks for allowing us to stop and enjoy the time of year.
The Irish - and northern countries - have interesting winter traditions. My favorite is St. Brigid's day, the equivalent of Groundhog day, which marks the half-way point between the solstice and the equinox. Perhaps not as well represented in song and tune (prove me wrong please) but maybe you could consider a piece on that notable day.
10
my family had a tradition for Boxing Day (or St. Stephen's day, or just the Day After Christmas). i would (as the oldest, single non-parent) gather up the nephews and nieces and littles and we would make little flags and ribbons on sticks and march around the property visiting each other's houses and looking at other people's christmas trees and admire other gifts. the simple activities used up the restless energy of the children and gave the adults a chance to breath and take a break from all the crazy activities of the two days before. i miss those days, as i now don't make it back home for christmas every year and all my littles are big and also have jobs and homes too far apart for that walking activity.
6
If you work in retail -- Dec 26th is
"returns" day when people take back the stuff they got that they don't want. My favorite people were the ones who would bring in a large box or bag filled with new clothing items and state "I don't know where these were purchased so if you can look through them and see if any our yours, I'd like a refund." I worked in women's dresses (I was Christmas help) and got a laugh between the grimaces when women would bring in a dress purchased for her by a husband who obviously had no idea of her size or taste. Many a time I was looking at a size 18 dress in the arms of a woman who was clearly a size 10.
My advice for next year -- gift cards -- they always fit and no one returns them.
2
As a Dead Head, whose birthday falls on St. Stephen's Day, I always appreciate hearing a playlist which includes that song on 12/26. And, yes, we could use a proper name for this day here in the U.S.!
6
December 26 is also Boxing Day in Australia in fact in a lot of Commonwealth countries it's also a public holiday down here and is the day of "mad" sales something like America's Black Friday and for returning unwanted or wrong styles/sizes of Xmas presents. Also a Melbourne tradition of going to or watching the "Boxing Day" Test Match of cricket usually the 3rd test this year Australia and India .
6
@wayne and a tradition for those of us outside Melbourne to sit in front of the TV from Boxing Day onwards, with the aircon at full, and waste five good days watching cricket. Americans won't get that - the idea of a game that goes for five days which can end in a draw is lost on them.
@Flossy
Instant gratification or nothing ;)
2
Beautiful. Merry Christmas.
"...talk about your plenty, talk about your ills
One man gathers what another man spills."
27
@Songsfrown
Ha, thank you to both you and Ms. Boylan! Always a happy surprise on the rare occasion the Dead are quoted here.
8
@Songsfrown That is so strange. I've been walking around all morning with that line in my head. St Stephen came up in another context (referred to in the Good King Wenceslaus Christmas song that my family had misheard as "on the feast of Eden.")
1
If you love the Wren Boys tradition, be sure to read this beautiful illustrated poem by Carol Ann Duffy: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/19/wren-boys-carol-ann-duffy-christmas-poem
5
@Mapgirl
Thank you for this link....a real gift
I've just spent most of Boxing Day afternoon reading various poems by Carol Ann Duffy ,found in books on Amazon.
I look up and see that night is falling .
I am well pleased with the time spent .
4
I so deeply appreciate your opinion pieces. I feel glad to be human when I read them. Or is it that you are my favorite kind of human? You know an honorable and honest and humble lover of life kind of human. I treasure today's opinion very much. I love learning new things or old customs and I appreciate a commenter here leaving a link for your Grateful Dead song, which I listened to and then listened to more GD songs and read the comments under them and was warmed as well with their memories from Uncle John's band and with my own happy memories of yore. Thanks ever so much!
And your daughter is so lucky to have you!
12
@cheerful dramatist
You beat me to it! Thank you, Ms. Boylan, for your contributions to the NYT. Your thoughts and insights - and the clarity in how you express them - are deeply appreciated.
5
This is a little off subject, but you write so beautifully . . .
9
Too bad those that voted for Trump can’t get a refund.
2
Lovely.
8
Canadians also have Boxing Day. The best part about it is that nobody knows what it means, it just is, which I think is very Canadian. Also it's a day to tour around and visit friends, and an extra day off to chill.
45
A nice, thoughtful piece. I especially liked her musical allusions. My tastes are similar. I also join her in thinking that the eternal is everywhere. Since I grew up very poor, I didn't have "British professors" or nice houses with fireplaces by the ocean when I was young (a little earlier than her, I think), but I came to the same place in the end.
41
Years from now people will claim that the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day because it is the day when millions of people take the unwanted Christmas gifts that were shipped to them, put them in cardboard boxes and return them.
37
and return them to Amazon..
21
@bucketofmass for free if there a prime member.
6
@Jay Orchard people already think this is what it is, for years and years in the States. I've never known for sure so I enjoyed learning it from this article! Nice to hear it's about charity and generosity.
2
It's also called Boxing Day in Canada. You know, that little country just north of you.
6
Country? I though Canada was another state.
4
Some commenters are making this article about President Trump and yet not one word even mentions his name. Why do we have to include him in practically every discussion. This is about Boxing Day and St. Stephen. Why venture off topic.
12
@WPLMMT
President Trump?
You do him too much honour.
Trump....
5
Sweet, Merry Christmas.
4
Doesn't get any better than the Grateful Dead playing "St. Stephen" for an appreciative live audience, perhaps with a lengthy "Dark Star" alongside.
To read a GD reference in the Opinion pages of the NYT, that's not a derogatory one from a conservative pundit who dislikes hippies and the whole counterculture movement centered around protesting Vietnam and agitating for change, simply wow. Happy Boxing Day, yes indeedy.
14
@drdeanster
Yes, it brings joy!!
(another Deadhead)
2
@drdeanster It's been fifty years! Dark Star, St Stephen, The Eleven... that was juicy stuff. (Sorry to digress...)
1
@DW
Yup! "Live/Dead" was the 1st GD album I ever bought (think it was 1965). Loved it.
Think I was still in high school & too young to get the drug references, but it still holds up!)
Happy new year, everyone!
Thank you for this lovely meditation on transitions. Especially in times of change, we should listen for the voice in our hearts inviting us to become ourselves.
6
Can so relate to the light of adult children ok’ing and going and hope is that she will return with the Robins.
4
It is unsettling "becoming yourself" involved taking some heavy doses of drugs.
1
Read this piece as I headed to bed around midnight...just ast Stephens’s day began —-Growing up in Ireland, that was the only way we referred to December 26. Maybe that has something to do with our aversion to the British occupancy over so many years. You evoked memories from long long ago,
After 4 wonderful but exhausting Christmas masses in our parish......this piece was the icing (almond paste topped with royal icing) on the Christmas cake it warmed my heart as much is sitting by the hearth. Thank you! Gura Maith agat—-
9
@Peter Worn Is there anyway that the sick people of the ROI who ceaselessly pour into Britain leaving it a miserable underpopulated place of about three million white Irish and One million black Africans and Muslims can stop pumping out their hatred of the British...?
Not only do they desperately flock to live in Britian in Ireland they spend every moment watching British TV channels reading British newspapers and magazines and spending hours on their mobile phones planning and talking about their next visit to their emigrated family and friends all living happily in Britain ...visits that take place not once a year or two but about once every two weeks!
And a united Ireland? If Scotland ever became independent then Norther Ireland would join it and the Republic would join the United Kingdom before all being reunited again...Thats the future...like it or not.
Some other information -- the wren (on Wren Day) is killed and displayed as the betrayer of St. Stephen, who tried to hide in a bush. When the alarmed wren flew away from him, Roman soldiers found his hiding place and captured him.
An older story about that "king" appellation is that the birds wanted to choose a king and decided that the most powerful bird would get the title -- the one who could fly the highest. One by one, the exhausted birds dropped out until only the eagle was left as the clear winner. As he ran out of strength, a wren that had been hiding in his neck feathers flew up and became, by clever deceit, the king of the birds. Either way, not much good press for the wren.
7
Beautifully written and timely column and I learned something too.
6
Genuinely funny and poignant.
3
The explanation for Boxing Day given by the professor made me laugh out loud.
8
Thanks, Ms. Boylan, for your research into this interesting subject.
St Stephens is my kind of guy. The article says, "Stephen was the faith’s first martyr, slain for suggesting, among other things, that God was not to be found in the temple, or in any dwelling made by human hands."
Of course, he didn't last long by telling the truth. Religion controlled the "great unwashed masses" then, as they would like to today, and there was/is untold wealth to be had. Just look at the Vatican to see who controlled the wealth back then - and would like to control it and OUR lives today.
19
Boxing Day is also recognized in Canada. One municipality, Williams Lake in British Columbia, has declared an official holiday the day after New Year’s. January 2 is formally known there as Wrestling Day.
11
I have to agree with you that nature contains greater mysticism than a church, or even a cathedral. A cathedral is a beautiful space but it can only mimic natural places.
People contrive mysteries equivalent to their own capacities. Trump's attempts fall far short of any that the Catholic church or nearly any other religion attempts to seize popular dialogue. The Cargo cult reminds me of Trump and his supporters.
And wrens are among my favorite birds. They're tiny yet pugnacious. They'll defend their territories like a terrier standing up to a herd of buffalo.
Societies create their own reality in many ways but humans are still subject to age old limits so weather and climate still determine much of our actions.
There will always be those who try to steal the narrative for their own ends, it's difficult for me to understand that nearly 40% of US citizens still respect Trump, but false narratives will eventually fail. What will those who believed the false narrative do when they realize they've been had again? The next recession looks like it will have started the day Trump closed the govt over his wall. We will all have to deal with that (except Trump, of course).
This new year will mark the rebuilding of our own society or a descent into chaos and fragmentation. Make your choice wisely. God isn't going to intervene to help us.
18
What a wonderful, inspired and inspiring piece. Thank you. And it's not often that one finds reference to obscure Steeleye Span songs in the Times. Well done, you.
15
A lovely, introspective piece of writing and informative too.
Happy New Year and thank you!
11
Great article
Boxing day is also a traditional holiday in Canada. Tradition has it as being the day after Christmas when gifts were given to local trades and businesses who serve the community. It became the day for sales although is being now overshadowed by the American black Friday.
Another unusual tradition in many Canadian municipalities is the New Years Levee which occurs New Years morning in many places in Canada. Oddly it originated with Louis 14 in France who received courtiers in is bedroom in the morning and referred to his rising in the morning. It became popular among royal families for a while as a reception. In Canada it became a tradition of fur traders visiting French the governor of a fort. The British adapted it and it spread into the rest of Canada and the military still celebrate it. It was originally rather drunken affair serving refreshments like moose milk (possibly liquor, eggnog, spices and even ice cream) and in a few places continues to be. For the most municipalities it is a family affair where people pay their respects to the governor, mayor or official on New Years morning who is expected to provide refreshments and food. The one in Niagara on the Lake is great, all welcome and firing of salutes and a cannon along with 19th century dress.
18
This article brought back memories of my dad who was born on St. Stephens day 1920 and also named Stephen. Perhaps he was not a saint, but he in the thoughts of people that knew was kind, considerate and gentle. He was not a church goer, but it was just in his nature to be this way. The temple of his body is gone, but his memory lives on in us, his family. Perhaps I am prejudiced and over nostalgic, but I can't help remembering him this way on his birthday.
Thanks for the article and for inspiring the memories.
35
Thanks so much for this fun and fascinating article. Several years ago I was involved in a group that gave a holiday presentation including many traditional songs, one of which as "Pleased to see the king." I knew it was about a wren but had no idea why that bird was regarded as "the king." Now I know!
4
Thank you for all of your beautiful writing throughout this year. Your reflections on your life speak to so many lives.
25
Excellent column for the day after Christmas. In addition to being the first martyr to our faith, St. Stephen was also the first deacon of the new church.
Despite the fact that we all try to be Christians, or keep our faith alive the year round, there is a letdown feeling the day after Christmas. We want to keep on celebrating with good food, good cheer, good friends, etc.
As a kid I still celebrated Christmas the day after, and all the days of school vacation because I got to play with my new toys and there were still cookies and goodies to be had.
My Irish Ma would tell me that it was really the first day of the New Year as far as my conscience was concerned. I was to try to do better before the next Christmas celebration came around. Better by others and better for others. She was already in her role as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Dickens had nothing on her.
21
Thanks for a piece so elegant, discursive, rich, and personal. A lovely start to December 26...
26
Lovely article. And thanks for this:
Saint Stephen with a rose
In and out of the garden he goes
Country garden in the wind and the rain
Wherever he goes the people all complain
Stephen prospered in his time
Well, he may and he may decline
Did it matter, does it now?
Stephen would answer if he only knew how
is one of my all time favorites. Very troubling and ambiguous!
Lots of people don't like their "music" but the words are great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa8ImA_wSKI
9
@Susan Anderson The wren song is stuck in my brain forever after a role nearly 60 years ago in the stage play made from the Nightown sequence in James Joyce's "Ulysses." Stephen Dedalus muses on his name in the song, which dates back to Medieval times. The full Medieval song, plus context and interpretation in Joyce's work, is found here: https://goo.gl/WPDhYA
2
I had read that Boxing Day in England was the day after Christmas when the servants were given the day off and presented a Box to the Lord and Lady of the house with the keys to rooms in the manor for which they were usually responsible. In their absence, this would allow their Lord and Lady access to rooms, should they wish, on the day when the servants would otherwise accommodate them.
5
A lovely piece - thank you for sharing so much of yourself, Jennifer.
10
A beautiful (and educational!) piece. Thank you, Jennifer.
11
I had every intention of going to Midnight Mass for Christmas but could just not get myself there in time. I decided to go to the 11:00 AM Mass instead. It was absolutely beautiful and extremely crowded. The priest asked how many were from out of town and just a few hands went up. Most of us were residents of Manhattan. This was very encouraging news.
I was so glad that I waited for this glorious service which included an excellent homily. I was so thankful to be part of this congregation and proud to be Catholic. I am off this week for vacation and have decided to celebrate the feast of St. Stephen by attending Mass today. I want to thank God for his many blessings and pray for those who are less fortunate than me.
26
Hope you do more than just pray for them!
5
Thanks! I loved this article. I loved the fireside in 1978 where you put off “becoming yourself.” You made me smile with pleasure. I’m still sitting in front of the fire in 2018! I think I’ll learn eventually that I already am myself! Thanks again! And Happy Christmastide!
29
While Ms. Boylan's words are appropriately befittingly sentimental for the season, the fact is that in Australia, to which her daughter is traveling, the December is the longest day, for the next six months, the light will fade.
So much for symboism.
7
@Giskander It was her symbolism, not her daughter's, who likely would write a different article. :) Cheers.
3
I'm still waiting for the punch line.
4
Joan Crawford a wonderful mother? I believe her daughter, Cristina, when she said she was a horrible mother. I will explain why.
In the 1960s, I was visiting the Grand Union in Ridgewood, NJ and who was there in person but Joan Crawford. I was a young, shy teenager and was in awe of those movie stars from her era and was so excited to see Joan Crawford. I shyly walked up to her and asked for her autograph in a polite manner. Well. The reception I got was one of a cold bitter woman. She stood there with that pasty white skin, bushy eyebrows and reluctantly gave me an autograph. I took it and walked away embarrassed.
That evening I told my parents about this and they felt terrible for their daughter. Joan Crawford had been anything but kind and was really a has been at that point. She should have been pleased to realize that someone still admired her. After that incident, she was no longer a fan of mine. I believed every negative thing ever printed about her. To this day, I will never watch any of her movies. Good for Cristina Crawford for revealing the truth about this overrated actress. By the way, I read her book and believed every word.
The funny thing is that my parents moved away from Bergen County in the early 1980s my mother threw away the autograph unbeknownst to me. Years later I inquired about the autograph and my mother said why would I want a photo of a woman so mean. I readily agreed and only wish I had had the pleasure of doing so myself.
13
Sorry correction: I meant to say I was no longer a fan of hers. I guess you could say there was a mutual feeling of loathing towards each other after this unfortunate incident.
4
people are just human.
forgive and forget.
“After that incident she was no longer a fan of mine...”
Surely, you meant that you were no longer a fan of *hers*!
Forgive me, but you still sound bitter, even after all these years. Yet, she did, albeit somewhat grudgingly, give you an autograph! Instead of tossing it, your mother should have held onto it — and you could have gotten some cash for it, as a sweet reward for you realized “trouble”!
2
Thank you for the article. Boxing Day has always been one of my favourite days.
One peeve. As the writer has lived in the U.K., she should know that the U.K. and England are far from synonymous.
11
I was told, by a British friend in Nairobi, that on Boxing day, "You are supposed to give gifts to servants." I duly found my maid, my gardener and my watchman, and did so. No other theories were offered.
25
@Philip Sedlak my understanding as well. Boxing Day is the servants Christmas; they receive their gifts from the lord (their boxes) and make merry...
26
Often overlooked in this world of ours is a most subtle need:
more English professors. If the world did have more English professors one could be absolutely certain we would have a
a more sensitive, kind, understanding and disciplined civilization. Moreover we would be better educated, more thoughtful in our actions and have as a certainty a greater understanding of the need to balance always, passion and reason.
103
@Tom Osterman amen. amen. amen.
8
@mrw
More English professors - excellent idea!
5
@Tom Osterman
And more students taking English and Literature classes, focusing on their growth as human beings rather than simply attaining the number of credits needed to graduate.
6
Thanks for sharing the information about the wren, and Boxing Day...I had no idea where all that came from! And the personal note at the end really brought it home. Happy New Year!
22
Whatever the merits of Boxing Day as a holiday in its own right, it is nice to think of it as a small step down from the Christmas festivities. Season's greetings, everyone!
17
Such a warm and hopeful message. Peace and joy to all in these fragile times.
42
Merry Christmas and Joyous Noel! To all!
My Holiday Manifesto.
In a organic, functioning society, the wisdom that informs the social order comes from the grassroots and the center, not from the fringe or the powerful mainstream with its inert class issues of wealth, lethal non-violence, and racial, political, and gender conflict. (Slaves could be starved, not hanged. Apartheid aside, when stop and frisk ended, black males and females began being stopped and questioned on no legal authority in the buildings that are their homes and lodgings. Omitting due process.)
Mueller aside, Trump’s impeachment is possible on human rights violations alone! On charges of contributing to genocide brought before the Hague, on behalf of 85,000 Yemeni children. At home, Trump locks immigrant children in cages. His immorality, payoffs, lies, and incompetence have damaged world markets, supply chains, commodity pricing, and send stock markets into free-fall. His failure to protect amendment nine rights is a violation of his oath of office.
Beyond Mueller and the media’s obsession, plenty of “show cause” actions exist that could indict Trump in every court of authority, including knowingly aiding and abetting a criminal enterprise and lying about it. Documentation and research exists for winning cases against Trump. Omarosa’s tapes will close the door. Tell Giuliani it's brief time!
21
@walterhett I suspect that Trump, if he is impeached, will be impeached (in real terms if not in stated ones) for financial crimes against the very wealthy. If he costs them too much money with his shenanigans, he is out of here.
13
@Michele Underhill
I listened to the Democracy Now! show this morning while drinking coffee. Richard Wolf (sp?) economist emeritus spoke about the tax cuts which were spent on stock buy-backs. Basically, he noted that the losses on the stock market erased all those funds which he noted were not spent on wages, new technologies, and employees.
Easy come, easy go.
10
Thanks so much for the St. Stephen info. How appropriate that he saw the natural world, which humans are quickly destroying in in their quest for profits, is where any worthwhile god would reside. Indeed, conservationists today are being martyred around the world as they fight corporate colonialism in their own countries.
We need St. Stephen's example preached from the whole the worlds pulpits/media.
29
Thank you, Jennifer. I look forward to your writing since I first read your memoir. Especially grateful for this Dec. 26 column. Will you be writing for Epiphany? May your year be filled with many small epiphanies as you continue on your journey, which I hope includes a trip to see your daughter.
36
A lovely article. But it's not the day after Christmas, it's the second day of Christmas. There are ten more to follow! Let' not give short shrift to the real season of Christmas, versus the chaos that occurs between Thanksgiving and December 25th. This is a lovely time for staring in to the fire and engaging all those reflections on our life.
113
@Peter Faass My own celebration of Christmas with my family, has been greatly improved, and a lot of pressure taken off of 'the day', when I adopted this philosophy of Christmas: that it is a small season, twelve days plus the eve of Christmas, and one can spread the celebration out during the whole time...even after work starts up again. Baking Christmas cookies on the 28th, for example, is perfectly acceptable.
32
@Michele Underhill
"Baking Christmas cookies on the 28th, for example, is perfectly acceptable."
Oh good. I am so glad to hear that. I still have pecan pie ingredients that I haven't gotten around to yet.
12
@Peter Faass
Oh, I think this is a wonderful comment, deserving of full consideration.
Thank you for posting it.
9
I describe myself as a recovering Catholic to any who might ask; however, this Christmas eve I found myself awkwardly seated in the corner of a Methodist church in upstate South Carolina. It was, in turns, completely foreign and strangely comforting: hearing familiar words and singing similar songs to those of my childhood. I, too, found myself thinking of the person I'm trying to be as the Reverend spoke to those gathered about her desire for everyone to live the words of Jesus Christ beyond the confines of the walls of the church. I thought about the concept of light returning again.
Thank you for sharing this.
48
Brava, Jennifer!
A firm core of timely information wrapped in fragile layers of personal perception.
Thank you,
Mike Oster
Rio Mountain Advisors
14
What a beautiful piece (on Boxing Day) Jenny Boylan has written. It struck me deeply for its thoughtfulness and resonated with its maturity. Unfortunately, it is rare that I find essays in the NYT today that are so well written, near poetry. Not since Ertrenkling- I could never spell his name. Too often the writing is shallow and hipster. seemingly written by and for 20-somethings. It does no one a favor. Thank you for giving us Jennifer Boylan.
29
It's also called Boxing Day closer to your home - in Canada!!
43
A lovely article but you missed the finest wren song of all, The Cutty Wren by Steeleye Span. The power of the lyrics against the image of a wren is one of the great poetic juxtapositions and gives the mystic sense of power in the small. Deep thanks for your article always.
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! as my Welsh ancestors may have put it.
21
I always wondered about that myself; figured it was just when people boxed up the unwanted gifts to return them.
3
Lovely and filled with delightful folklore. I used to have to work Boxing Days, first as a bartender and then as tour guide. Invariably a day filled with sad, hung-over, crabby people. Thanks to your Celtic wisdom, we should now recognize it as the first whispered promise of spring and her warm days filled with birdsong.
74
@Michael Judge
Your comment was as lovely and warming as her essay.
Congrats to both of you!
The best part? The wren with the happy thoughts of longer days approaching.
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!
54
@Michael Judge
it's barely officially winter...(!)
1
Thank you for a very nice column and may we all rejoice at the returning light!
46