The adage is that the term 'Boxing Day' came out of Britain where after the Christmas Day celebrations (including the big aristocratic houses of England with gifts in boxes to the myriad of servants and domestics), the following day was set aside to pack up the boxes – hence Boxing Day.
In Australia, Boxing Day has become one of those sacred holidays and often provide a long weekend, and combined with a day or two of additional 'work allocated holiday days' often means a full week absent from the work place.
In Christian circles, this Christmas week from Boxing Day to New Year historically has been a week of the many 'Beach Missions' (generic term for a number of similar adventures for young people). These are well established around the nation, and some years ago now, our third daughter was part of the Fingal Beach Mission, north coast of New South Wales.
Growing up in Canberra, our family along with friends families in the '60s, had two weeks at Tabourie (beach) camping and tenting (NSW south coast) - and it was the annual ritual for us kids to attend the Beach Mission.
There are many throughout the nation have tasted the goodness of a Beach Mission – whether team member of attendee. The big tent (in many cases now, a rented building), the morning programs, the speakers, and the evening rallies. Moreover it gave the parents a break from, yes, kids endless noise !!
Reflection
Boxing Day also comes as a bit of relief. Christmas is over. There is clear relief for many families after Christmas. There is much emotional effort goes into Christmas from months of buying gifts, wrapping, posting - then the opening of gifts, the food, the partying – its exhausting to say the least.
Boxing Day is a relaxant from all this – it's over for another year. The work is done. The eating to excess is over. Time to have a break.
It is the beginning of the end and the end of the beginning.
Boxing Day is the beginning of the end. There is one week remaining of 2016. It's been a big year for many of us. There is a countdown to 2017.
Boxing Day is also the end of the beginning. At the same time, philosophically slightly different, it is much more than a countdown to 2017, it is reflective time on another full year ahead. These next 7 days in many ways sets the tone for this new year's activities and in this sense it is the end of the beginning.
Alert to the dangers
Many accidents occur in this more relaxed period. A preoccupation with the holiday break and family matters allows paying less attention to matters at hand – simple things like crossing the road, swimming outside the flags, electrical issues, even matters of maintenance around the house or when in leisure mode.
On a sadder note are the motor vehicle accident statistics and its always heart braking listening to the news throughout Christmas week, particularly on rural roads. Likewise drowning accidents, back yard pools, swimming holes, rivers and the beach. It is a hectic time for life savers.
Many a minister has had to put on hold their family break to minister to the families of the beavered let alone serious accidents towards para and quad paraplegia. Holidays need special attention.
Respite
The value of respite, albeit full of family noise and drama, is something the Bible speaks of from the Old Testament all the way through to the New Testament. Many of the great divines had places of rest and solitude. Even the Prince of Preachers Charles Hadden Spurgeon in the late 1800's had a place in France where he retreated.
Jesus took time out. This is Christian 1010. It applies to all of us. No Christian is exempt from this. There is no prize for 'working yourself to death'. No one applauds. The spouse and family suffer.
One of the relaxing things I enjoy apart from a good book, are the DVD's my family members present me at Christmas, and not soppy ones, rather documentaries, things they know will get me to relax. Now there's a challenge for many of us !
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html