Deep Pan, Crips & Even….

So the joke goes like this – “How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizza?” “Deep pan, crisp & even!” I can already hear the agonised groans. It’s not like everyone hasn’t had their fill of terrible jokes courtesy of Christmas crackers everywhere….

Yes today, the 26th December is St Stephen’s Day, or ‘Boxing Day‘ as it is known traditionally in the UK. The song to which the joke relates is ‘Good King Wenceslas‘, which talks about the feast of Stephen, or St Stephen’s Day. In the lyrics it talks of the snow being ‘deep and crisp and even‘; hence the pizza joke.

Now, not everyone agrees upon the reason we call the day ‘Boxing Day‘, but for me the most reasonable explanation is that it comes from an old tradition where servants, after having waited on and served their masters in the hall or great house of the estate on Christmas Day, would be allowed the following day off to visit family, and part of this day off was the receiving from their masters of a box filled with gifts, financial bonuses and sometimes leftover food.

British diarist Samuel Pepys also mentions in an entry from 19th December 1663, the custom of tradespeople, such as postmen, collecting ‘Christmas Boxes’ full of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks from their customers for their good service during the year.

Another way people have explained the name of ‘Boxing Day‘ is that in the early years of the Christian church under the Roman Empire, metal boxes were placed outside churches and they were collected in on Christmas Day and then the  monies raised were distributed to the poor during the feast of St Stephen, which is that same day as ‘Boxing Day‘: Hence the name.

Whatever the reason, behind the origin of the name; it is great to see that we have a reminder that Christmas is not about stuffing our faces with stuffing and other foods, but about God generously giving out of His richness to a world impoverished and in need.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthinas 8:9.

Just as Jesus came down to earth as a baby, humbling himself and thinking of our need, let us this ‘Boxing Day‘ think of others in need and in some way bless those who are struggling this Christmas; maybe contact an organisation such as the Conwy Food Bank and see how you can donate food that will be a true Godsend to someone at this time, or in some other way help, volunteer, or bless those around you.

Whilst talking of blessing those around you, I want to take this time to thank all of our amazing volunteers with Llandudno Youth for Christ. Brilliant people who take time out of their lives to help us make an impact in the lives of young people in our area. We really appreciate you and all that you do, and pray that you have had a blessed Christmas, and we look forward to what God is going to do through the work of LLYFC, with you as an integral part of that work. As the apostle Paul would often call those who ministered with him, you are our fellow workers in God’s service.

So, this ‘Boxing Day‘ not only be blessed, but be a blessing!