Here we are at the holiday between the holidays, starting with Boxing Day. This has become a secular holiday that seems to have extended into Boxing Week with the advertising that goes with this.
The tradition started in the UK about 800 years ago. It was the day when the alms box for the poor was opened so that the contents could be distributed to the poor.
In the 1600's we would be servants and tradespeople and would receive gifts today, known as a "Christmas box". Our Christmas Day would have been busy, waiting on our masters. This is the day that Good King Wenceslas looked upon the Feast of Stephen. St. Stephen's Day is celebrated as the 2nd day of Christmas. The Germans had an original tradition - horses would be ridden around the inside of the church during the St. Stephen's Day service.
We are into the Twelve Days of Christmas. This is the twelve day period that starts with Christmas day and ends on Epiphaby (Jan 6th).The 'true love' who gave the gifts was meant to represent God, the true love of the world. On the "first day", the partridge in a pear tree is Jesus who died on the cross. The two turtle doves of the "second day", are the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The three French hens are faith, hope and love - the three gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Today's image explores the countdown of the 12 days through the language of urban grunge.
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