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One of the great things about love ...is that it grows in ever larger ripples when shared.
One shares with another, then that heart touched by love shares, too.
One becomes two. Two becomes four. And four becomes eight.
Not every heart which receives, gives, of course.
Who of us has not received compassion and felt the better for it?
We are let into a busy traffic line, and we wave thanks.
But do we give it? Do we let another in somewhere else down the line?
Or do we just go on our way, too much in a hurry to return the favor to a stranger?
Have we received compassion, wisdom, kindness repeatedly from a friend, but then have been hurt by that same friend?
Can we find it in ourselves, that after taken so much, to give one thing ...
the benefit of the doubt,
to trust in the past acts of friendship to give ...
forgiveness?
That is the secret of Boxing Day, celebrated in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Bermuda, and the United Kingdom ...
to give from the surplus that we have received on Christmas Day.
One of the clues to Boxing Day's origins can be found in the Christmas Carol, "Good King Wenceslas."
Wenceslas, who was Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, was surveying his land on St. Stephen's Day — Dec. 26 —
when he saw a poor man gathering wood in the middle of a snowstorm. Moved, the King gathered up surplus food and wine
and carried them through the blizzard to the peasant's door.
Christmas love and magic is better when shared. Just like laughter is somehow more than doubled when the joke or funny movie is shared with a friend.
What is more beautiful than a unicorn in the snow?
Two unicorns racing through the flurry of snowflakes together.
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Thank you Roland, for writing about Boxing Day. I didn't understand what it was when I first came to Canada, but liked the idea. We visit the care home on Boxing Day, as our MIL is there. Many visit friends.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about King Wenceslas, but the Christmas song of the same name has always been one of my favorite songs.
Unicorns are like dragons, mythical creatures we love to fantasize about. Pegasus, too.
Happy Boxing Day!
Happy Boxing, Day, to you, too, D.G!
ReplyDeleteI like the concept of Boxing Day, so I thought I would highlight today.
Yes, King Wenceslas, the original Boxer! The song is one of my favorites -- and I like the video which has some of DC major and minor characters playing out the story as the song goes along.
Batman as the King and Robin as the page was fun.
Happiest of Boxing Days to you and to your family, Roland
Share the surplus. Most of us could do that, as we lead far richer lives than we imagine.
ReplyDeleteAlex:
ReplyDeleteYes, we have at least a smile to give to those who seem to have none of their own -- an ear to listen to grief -- a heart to care about that grief -- and a arm to wrap around slumped shoulders.
Say a prayer for Snowball, everyone. He is in the vet, not feeling well at all. I will be on noodles until next paycheck -- but the little guy depends on me.
Happy Boxing Day, everyone!