Have you recovered? Is your living room floor still covered with bits of wrapping, already broken toys, and a stack of gifts to exchange?
Or are you resting in the warmth of the season as I’m trying to do today.
Today is Boxing Day, traditonally for giving gifts to the poor, but now more of a shopping day.
For what it’s worth, just like I refuse to participate in Black Friday, I also don’t rush out for the after Christmas sales. If anything is around and incredibly cheap by next weekend, maybe I’ll check it out.
I went to Costco and Trader Joe’s on Wednesday. There is nothing that I need or desire to make me go to the store today. Not even for a bargain.
Today is also St. Stephen’s Day which commemorates the first Christian martyr.
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:54-60
Stephen was stoned to death in 26 AD on what we recognize as the second day of Christmastide.
Or for our purposes, the second day of Christmas.
On this day my true love gave to me two turtle doves representing the Old and the the New Testament which offer us God’s plan for the world.
I’ll be reading through both the Old and the New in 2022. Join me. It will do you good.
Our source for this version: The Surprising Meaning Behind “The 12 Days of Christmas” Lyrics
As noted, I’ll be posting a different version of the song each day for the next twelve days. No need to thank me.
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Have you recovered? Is your living room floor still covered with bits of wrapping, already broken toys, and a stack of gifts to exchange?
store today. Not even for a bargain.
