26th of December of every year is celebrated as Boxing Day.
In this Special report, our Correspondent x-rays what the day means and its significance to humanity.
Boxing Day being the day that follows the Christmas day, has different versions concerning its origin.
According to a version, the Boxing Day began in England during the Middle Ages when servants were required to work on Christmas day and took off duty the following day.
A second version has it that the day is for the unpacking of boxes placed in Churches with coins deposited for the poor for distribution on the day after Christmas.
Another theory has it that during the Ages of exploration when great sculling ships were setting off to discover New lands, priests and the crewmen who wanted to ensure safe return will drop money into the box which will be opened on the boxing day and its contents given to the poor, friends and well-wishers.
In the 60s, 70s and 80s, some people especially in Nigeria saw it as a day for making trouble and walking away scot free while others today see the day as a day to show love, put smiles on people’s faces, visit friends, exchange gift items and care for the less privileged and widows.
But does the day like Christmas have a spiritual or biblical backing? The Methodist Archbishop of Aba – the Most Rev Godfrey Agupuisi says it’s in connection to the St Stephen’s Day which is an almsgiving day by the church to commemorate the administrative function of St. Stephen – the first Christian Martyr who was helping the poor in the church before his execution.
How do some people see the Boxing Day particularly in this present economic situation?
Elder Josiah Adighimadu and Sis Juliet Umeh disclosed that Boxing day has come to stay, no economic or political situation can change it, instead one should commemorate it according to the available resources, give to others without expecting reward from them.
On whether the Boxing Day should be observed under this unstable economy, the Most Rev Agupuisi further explains that anyone with two coats should give his brother one, if you have something and your brother has nothing, there is no point allowing him to die in hunger because that is not Christianity.
Indeed, whether on Christmas day or the day after, what the season calls for is a show of love and affection to the less privileged and all around us no matter how little.
