By Patrick F. Cannon
In many English-speaking countries, December 26 is celebrated as Boxing Day. Despite its name, it wasn’t a day to watch pugilists ply their trade. Originally, it was a day off for servants who had to serve their betters on Christmas Day. They would then get the next day off to celebrate with their own families, often being given a “box” of goodies to take along.
It never caught on here, because Americans never thought of themselves as doomed to be members of a servant class, or their employers didn’t think they deserved a day off. Anyway, if you’re reading this on December 26, Happy Boxing Day. And I’m sure you have many empty present boxes to deal with.
Today, I’m reminded that this is the third Christmas since my darling Jeanette died. She loved it intensely. On Christmas Eve, we would spend the evening with the families of one or the other of her sisters, Gerri, and Mary. We always had to leave in time for Jeanette to sing at Midnight Mass at St. Cartherine/St. Lucy in Oak Park. We would then host Christmas Day for my family.
Even though she’s gone, these traditions have continued. I spent Christmas Eve this year at the home of one of my sister-in-law Mary’s daughters, Beth, and her husband Ken. The families of Mary’s other three daughters were also there. I have known most of them for more than 35 years, attended their weddings, and am now meeting their grandchildren!
Yesterday, I made my usual New York Strip Roast. My nieces, who often came with their families, now spend the holidays at their Florida homes. My son Patrick also lives in Florida, and usually comes for Thanksgiving (we’ll visit him in early March). So, we added a new family. My daughter Beth’s husband Boyd’s brother Bart Klingler and wife Lisa, who just moved from Seattle to Milwaukee, joined us, as did their son Riley and his friend Kerry, who live in Chicago. Boyd’s sister Cathy was on duty as a nurse, so couldn’t make it, but did attend the Klingler family Christmas Eve soiree in Milwaukee! It does get hectic!
I count myself lucky, especially when I think about all the people whose circumstances mean that they spend the Holidays alone. For that reason, many people actually dread the coming of the holidays. Thanks to my many families, I’m not one of them.
Copyright 2024, Patrick F. Cannon
cannonnadedotcom 
Here in Time’s a Wasting USA, December 26 is Throw Out The Tree Day and Return Unwanted Gifts Day. As for the Twelve Days of Christmas, someone we know here — a practicing Catholic mind you — thought they were the twelve days leading up to Christmas! I guess he never got the gist of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
December 26 is my name day, the Feast of Stephen or St. Stephen’s Day, in commemoration of the first Christian martyr. Most people probably miss the connection in the Victorian carol, Good King Wenceslaus. In Italy, one’s name day is — or used to be — more significant than one’s birthday. Now that few people are named after saints anymore, I doubt it’s still true. I understand that in parts of Europe, Muhammad is the most popular boy’s name.
Since our families are spread far and wide, we don’t take part in the same holiday gatherings — Christmas and Hanukah — we used to. My daughter and her family are coming tomorrow, however, after spending Christmas with her husband’s family in St. Louis. We will therefore celebrate the third day of Christmas or St. John the Evangelist’s Day and the days that follow. Long live the Christmas season!
And Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year to you too. It should be one of the more interesting!
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