Boxing Day 2017

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday was lovely.  I was the first one awake on Christmas morning.  If this surprises anyone you do not know me well.  My eldest Grandson followed at 4:30 AM.  He and I had a beautiful Christmas morning palaver that ranged from the Christmas story to his saying he would rather sit with me than look at all the presents.

His brother awakened at 6:00 and the boys then roused my Son and my Daughter, Christmas.  Stockings, gifts, and a lazy day ensued.  My Son prepared a lovely duck and trimmings for dinner.  I wandered home in the early evening and slept through a perfect Christmas dream.

Today I awaken grateful and blessed.   For many it is a return to work.  For some of those is will be dealing with unhappy people returning gifts of the wrong size, colour, or kind.  On a day that is supposed to be set aside for those who serve us, those who serve will likely receive surly treatment from exasperated exchangers.

We pack so much baggage into our Christmas packages that we forget that no one intends to get it wrong.  We forget to be thankful that someone thought of us.  We can choose to be even more thankful for those who wait on us to help us satisfy our wants.  Perhaps we can celebrate Boxing Day by being the bright spot in the day of a server or clerk.  They work hard and do not get wealthy serving us.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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The Road to Bethlehem – Boxing Day

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

Boxing day is a holiday celebrated in Britten and the Commonwealth.   “This custom is linked to an older British tradition: since they would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses and sometimes leftover food.”

I think we do not realize the sacrifice and effort made by those in the service industries.  Those who work in care and protection services are never closed.  Someone is always staffing the ambulance, the emergency room, and the police car.   They work long shifts with little regular family time.

Restaurants that are open Christmas day provide a place for those who have no place to go for a family meal.  The servers sacrifice family time to provide that for them.   My favorite diner was open yesterday and nine people were working instead of being with their families. 

Today I hope they are all celebrating or resting as needed.   People will begin putting away Christmas.  They will set aside the songs and the merry making.  Some return to work today to talk about gifts and events.

The shops will mark things on sale.   The talk will turn to New Years and resolutions.  Thoughts of Christmas will be set aside until late next fall.  I do not do this.  Christmas is meant to be in our hearts every day of the year.  I have constant reminders of Christmas in my home, workspace, and car.   There is always time for another Christmas time.  My annual vow is a simple one penned by Charles Dickens.   “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”

Another Christmas Song – Jethro Tull

Hope everybody's ringing on their own bell, this fine morning.

Hope everyone's connected to that long-distance phone.

Old man, he's a mountain.

Old man, he's an island.

Old man, he's a-waking says

"I'm going to call, call all my children home."

Hope everybody's dancing to their own drum this fine morning ---

the beat of distant Africa or a Polish factory town.

Old man, he's calling for his supper.

He's calling for his whisky.

Calling for his sons and daughters, yeah ---

Calling, calling all his children round.

Sharp ears are tuned in to the drones and chanters warming.

Mist blowing round some headland, somewhere in your memory.

Everyone is from somewhere ---

even if you've never been there.

So take a minute to remember the part of you

that might be the old man calling me.

How many wars you're fighting out there, this Winter's morning?

Maybe it's always time for another Christmas song.

Old man he's asleep now.

He's got appointments to keep now.

Dreaming of his sons and daughters, and proving ---

proving that the blood is strong.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Boxing Day

Greetings Dear Reader,

The day after Christmas in some places is the day that servants and tradesmen were traditionally give a “Christmas Box.”  It is a time when those who work to service the rest of us are honored. 

I wonder if we truly honor those who work when we are on holiday.  I am so thankful for people like my friend Vanessa, an ER nurse who work odd shifts, long hours, and holidays to care for the needs of others.  Many people were not with family so that we could have help in time of need.

My friend Vosco owns a diner.  He is open on Christmas day because he has so many regular customers who do not have family to go to for a meal.  He gives away Thanksgiving meals to senior citizens on Thanksgiving.  He should be honored that he works on holidays for the sake of others and not due to avarice.

As I ponder all the wonderful gifts my family gave me I prepare to go to that diner for my weekly breakfast out.  On a day when many will be out searching to return unwanted gifts and purchase the things they want I hope to show kindness and respect to those I encounter who serve.  I am content with what I have.  I want to give more.

I want the person who serves me to feel respected, valued, and appreciated.  I want the spirit of Christmas to stretch beyond the gifts and feasting.  I need to live the faith that I have by valuing those who work in service industries every time I encounter them.  Patience and kindness should be the rule.  Respected and valued should be the way we make them feel. 

My Christmas joy is useless if I do not carry it into the daily business of my life.  Mankind is my business.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store." 

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