For many of us we only know December 26th as Boxing day, a day of crazy retail sales many start lining up at 4am for and also when people start returning the presents they received on Christmas day. But this day is actually an important day for so many reasons all over the world!
For now let’s focus on national official holidays and events and ignore that December 26th is Game of Thrones’ Kit Harrington’s (John Snow) birthday which the world should obviously rejoice for as well! But let’s move along shall we?
Boxing Day: Started in the United Kingdom, Boxing Day has nothing to do with boxing people but a tradition that grew out of giving servants a Christmas box of money and/or goodies for a year’s good service.
Second Christmas Day: Netherlands, Germany and Poland celebrate the 26th like a second Christmas Day, full of food and family. Perhaps also known as “2 Turtle Doves”?
Day of Good Will: South Africans of all races took part in the first fully democratic elections in 1994. That same year they also changed Boxing Day to Day of Good Will. It became a day of giving back to the community.
Family Day: In Vanuatu, it’s a public holiday of family and sharing. A day where people enjoy time with and give thanks for their family, often taking part in community or religious events and feasts.
Thanksgiving: Solomon Islands has one of the largest populations among South Pacific nations. The 26th is their thanksgiving and is a time to relax and recover from the activities of the past few days, reflect on the blessings and get out to visit family.
Independence and Unity Day: In the European country of Slovenia it’s the day they commemorate the official proclamation of the Slovenian independence referendum on 26 December 1990.
St. Stephen’s Day: Austria, Catalonia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland all recognize St. Stephen’s Day. St. Stephen lived around the same time as Jesus and was responsible for distributing aid and support to widows within the church community. He was tried for blasphemy and stoned to death.
Father’s Day: Father’s Day in Bulgaria is celebrated on December 26 because the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors Saint Joseph on this day. Saint Joseph was the husband of Mary and Christian tradition views him as the foster father of Jesus, who provided the son of God with care and protection. That is why Saint Joseph is regarded as the patron saint of fathers.
The first day of Kwanza: Kwanza is a week-long annual celebration held in the United States to honor African heritage. Each day celebrates a core principle: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
Mummer’s Day: Mummer’s Day, or “Darkie Day” is a traditional Cornish midwinter celebration that occurs every year on 26 December in Padstow, Cornwall. It’s a midwinter celebration where people take part in the traditional custom of guise dancing, which involves disguising themselves by painting their faces black or wearing masks.
Wren Day: In parts of Ireland this tradition consists of pretending to hunt a fake wren bird and putting it on top of a decorated pole. Then crowds of wrenboys, celebrate the wren by dressing up in masks, straw suits, and colourful clothing. They form music bands and parade through towns and villages.
But as a general trend, December 26th all over the world is most often about getting together with friends and loved ones. A time to celebrate. A time to reflect. We hope you are doing the same :).
A very Merry Christmas, from the gays around the bay. And a have a fantastic start to the new year!
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Thanks guys!
Larry and Chris
