December 19

This time next week will be the day after Christmas. Boxing Day. The Feast of St. Stephen. In the Anglo- world of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, America, Boxing Day (December 26) is the day set aside for shopping for bargains, giving gifts to those people who provide services for us and sports. Apparently, Boxing Day in Canada, New Zealand and Australia involves hockey, football and cricket. That would be fun. In the US, we take things back and buy what we wanted all along. Leave it to us to turn such a day into a day of selfishness.

St. Stephen was the first martyr, stoned for preaching the gospel of Christ in opposition to the Jewish leaders. I am not sure how we honor his efforts by returning things to the department stores, but that is what we do. Athletic events, at least, have a physical byproduct. If you are one of the ones playing.

I think we should reconsider the Feast Day of St. Stephen. How can we honor his memory and martyrdom? Should we pick up rocks around the house? Should we throw rocks at our neighbors? Should rocks even enter in to it?

We can be figurative and play loud music on our stereos. We can be preventive and hide all the rocks around the house. We can consider secondary definitions and drink or take drugs to excess. We can be followers and offer our bodies as sacrifice. We can be ironic and throw stones at our neighbors.

I am not sure but I think that a French playwright got involved in the process somehow.

Boxing Day is nice. Give to those who provide services to us. Not bad.

But Christmas will be over at that point. That is sad, I suppose. I still need to shop for Cindy and Kate. Christmas is too overwhelming as an adult. Not enough thrill and anticipation. Too much materialism.

Kate has gone to quoting Sally Brown from 'Charles Brown's Christmas': "I just want what's coming to me. I just want my fair share."

Truly.