- When it is kept
- December 26
- Where it fits in the year
- The twelve days
December 26, the day after Christmas, is called Boxing Day in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth lands. In Ireland and much of Europe it is St Stephen’s Day, the second day of Christmas.1 Stephen was one of seven men chosen in the Book of Acts to help give out food to widows, and he is called the first Christian martyr, killed for his faith.2
The carol "Good King Wenceslas" was written by John Mason Neale in 1853 and first printed in his book "Carols for Christmas-tide". It is set on the Feast of Stephen. The tune is a spring song first printed in 1582, and Neale’s words are new.3,4 The real Wenceslas was Duke Wenceslaus of Bohemia, born around 907. He died in 935, though some sources say 929. The emperor Otto I gave him a royal title after his death, which is why songs call him king.5,3
The name Boxing Day is not settled. One idea is the Christmas box of gifts and money that servants received on the day after Christmas. Another is the church alms box that was opened for the poor on St Stephen’s Day.1,6,7 One word historian found the name in Old Bailey court testimony of January 17, 1743, earlier than any other use he knew.7,1 Boxing Day became a bank holiday in England, Wales and Ireland under the Bank Holidays Act of 1871. Scotland added it in 1974.8,1
A story, not history
The tale of the king walking through the snow with a page to feed a poor man is a story. The real Wenceslas is recorded as a duke who died young and was soon honored as a saint, but the snowy night comes from later writings and from Neale’s own words. Neale built it from a Czech poem of 1847 and his own children’s book of 1849.3,5,4
In the Bible
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
Acts 6:1-5
This is where Stephen is first named. Acts 7 tells how he died for his faith. Giving gifts on Boxing Day is a later custom, not a Bible command.