“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew
25:40)
Today is Boxing Day. We don't hear
much about it in America. It's the day on which to take time to thank all the
Post Office employees, delivery people, shop clerks and servants for their
service, particularly their service during the extra-busy holiday season. You
know, all those cashiers in whose line you had to wait "forever" over
the past month, those invisible people who get paid minimum wages to help you
deal with the unreasonable expectations you faced.
I like the idea of Boxing Day,
because I am one of those invisible people. I used to be one because I worked
in retail. Now I am one because I'm serving my father. I'm glad to do so, but I
understand the feelings that can accompany such a position. I'm not prepared,
of course. Back in the mid 1800s when this was established, there were a
limited number of these sorts of people. If a family had servants or could
afford to buy things that were delivered, they were probably wealthy enough to
be able to give such people a Christmas "bonus." I have to find
something that is more of a token, that costs very little, and that reminds
them of my appreciation beyond the
length of time needed to consume a piece of candy.
Boxing
Day is a day on which we can take the time to pay a little attention to some of
the "least of these" that we meet on a daily basis. Perhaps by next
year I'll have something ready. This sounds like an excuse to visit a craft
store, or to compose a poem, or ....
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On The Calendar:
Boxing Day
Kwanza begins
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