Traditions

7th Night Of Hanukkah


The flicker of these lights echo the flame of our souls.

Searching. Hoping. Longing to find their place in the world as children of the Most High.
A G-d who promises us redemption through miracle and prayer, seeking and knowing.
He is our guidance who dispels the darkness and opens caverns of hope and salvation to our minds, eyes and hearts.

On this Festival of Lights, this miracle of days, we rekindle the Hanukkah flame in search not only of what has already come, but for the steps we have yet to journey.
And we do so as did our ancestors: in truth.

Praise be to our G-d the Heavenly One who spins the world into adventure, and us into its illuminated song.

Amen.


BOXING DAY


Boxing Day is celebrated in most countries of the British Commonwealth.  Exactly why - Well who knows, it's a tradition.  The two best guesses trace the origins to the Carol "Good King Wenceslaus"  According to the Carol he went out on The Feast of Stephen (December 26) to distribute charity.  This became an day for charity with the encouragement of the Church of England.  The alternate version is that this day was when the nobility provided a celebration for their employees complete with the distribution of presents (boxes) - A sort of company Christmas Party and bonus.


Which is true, probably neither or both.  Either way.  It's a tradition.





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 bread 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

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

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

Everything You Needed to Know About Boxing Day

This week's Take This Tune will be longer than most because December the 25 starts off with a whole lot of feasting, partying, and dancing and just doesn't end for another 12 days.  So party on folks.

Hope everyone's holidays are going well and that the gift giver of choice was both kind and generous.  Now for the day after traditions before heading into the new year:

B O X I N G   D A Y

The Second Day of Christmas - December 26th
The Feast of St. Stephen

This day is holiday in many countries. There are various explanations of how it became a tradition, but they all boil down to the idea that this is a day to be generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself. The day celebrates the first person to give his life for the sake of Christ, St. Stephen, who was also one of the first deacons ordained to serve the poor.

Another saint who is closely associated with this day is St. Wenceslas of Bohemia whose charity to the poor is remembered in John Mason Neale's wonderful carol. Try to take time today to perform an act of charity. If you make end-of-the-year gifts to charities, write the checks today. Remembering St. Stephen and good King Winceslaus make this a good way to recover from the excesses of the sometimes too commercial a season that Christmas has become.,