Canada and England celebrate Boxing Day every December 26. Boxing Day has nothing to do with the sport, but was traditionally the day churches opened the Christmas Box of gifts for the poor and shared it among those in need. It has become a day that retail stores offer significant sales and people form long lines before the store opens.
The day after Christmas is also St. Stephens Day, honoring Stephen, whom the Bible records was the first person killed for his belief in Jesus Christ. In Ireland, a wren would be caught and killed with stones just as Stephen was stoned to death. Even stranger, the "Wren Boys" would tie the dead wren on a pole, parade around town and knock at all the houses for money; no longer a common practice.
Boxing Day is a good reminder that a follower and lover of Jesus Christ is called to help those in need. It is also a reminder that following Jesus Christ will result in opposition. There are countries that persecute Christians to the point of death as Stephen was martyred. In countries that allow Christians to worship and follow Jesus freely, the opposition is most often in the form of ridicule or disbelief.
If you notice a box or a wren today, think about your passion of helping those in need and standing strong in your love for Jesus.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
The day after Christmas is also St. Stephens Day, honoring Stephen, whom the Bible records was the first person killed for his belief in Jesus Christ. In Ireland, a wren would be caught and killed with stones just as Stephen was stoned to death. Even stranger, the "Wren Boys" would tie the dead wren on a pole, parade around town and knock at all the houses for money; no longer a common practice.
Boxing Day is a good reminder that a follower and lover of Jesus Christ is called to help those in need. It is also a reminder that following Jesus Christ will result in opposition. There are countries that persecute Christians to the point of death as Stephen was martyred. In countries that allow Christians to worship and follow Jesus freely, the opposition is most often in the form of ridicule or disbelief.
If you notice a box or a wren today, think about your passion of helping those in need and standing strong in your love for Jesus.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
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