[Note: There are several new posts on my other blog, How I Got to Be Me.]
December 26th is Boxing Day in England where the tradition of giving gifts to servants and service personnel on the day after Christmas originated as well as giving to those less fortunate. It is also celebrated in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand as well as other members of the Commonwealth. It has become, over the years, a day for after-Christmas sales.
December 26th is also St. Stephen's Day in honor of one of the first Christian martyrs.
"Good King Wencelas", a favorite carol, is more about St. Stephen and remembering than the needy than it is about Christmas.
Here is a video of a TubaChristmas group playing the carol which I think is very much in the spirit of both Boxing Day and St. Stephen's Day.
TubaChristmas is a holiday celebration of the tuba and euphonium that originated with a performance at Rockefeller Center's Ice Rink in 1974. It spread across the country and was a part of Christmas at our house for several years. My Kate started playing the cornet when she was about nine. In junior high, she added both the baritone horn and the tuba to her musical acomplishments winning 'Superior' ratings in both district and state competitions. When she was invited to perform in the TubaChristmas concert in Akron, she simply had to participate and did so every year until she went away to college b ecause she enjoyed it immensely. My husband and I always attended because it's really fun! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!
Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!
Kay
Boxing Day sounds like a wonderful celebration to say thank you to the people who provide you with services and those who need help. Thank you for the information, Kay. And yes, I do believe I will go to those After Christmas sales.
ReplyDeleteI have never celebrated Boxing Day, but I think I should this year. I have so many people to thank who helped me during my hospitalization and rehab. It sounds like the perfect day to give them gifts.
ReplyDeleteMy children were musicians, too, but their instruments were the reed variety. My son was always the principle clarinetist and made District Band no matter where we were. He became a professional musician. No matter where he performed we were there to cheer him on. After he was grown that was no longer possible and I regret not hearing his West Coast Sax Quartet when they played at Carneghie Hall.