December 26
Throughout Great Britain and many Commonwealth countries, the second day of Christmastide is known as "Boxing Day." This term originally referred to alms boxes opened in churches to collect aid for the poor or boxes of gifts given to workers who labored on Christmas Day.
The thought and effort of gifting items to others attunes the heart and mind to reach beyond oneself and consider the needs — and perhaps also the suffering — of others. Not only this, but gifting can spark further reflection on the intangible gifts we offer to others. What might we do to gift holiday cheer well beyond December 25? Often, what people enjoy most during these holidays is sharing one another's company. Increasingly, in a world crammed with material things—microplastics and waste—intangible gifts become precious treasures.
Christmas celebrates the gift of God's real presence to the world in the infant Jesus. Like God does with us, we are called to share of ourselves fully with one another.
Darren Henson, Ph.D., S.T.L.
Senior Director, Ministry Formation, CHA
Pause
Today, let the image of the empty box be a reminder to empty ourselves for others by sharing the gifts of our attention, our expressions of care, and our affections of love.
Pray
God, who is hope, shine Your light in our darkness so that we may continue to build Your kingdom. Let us be reflections of Your brilliance, always working to make Your goodness known. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.