THE CHRISTMAS BOX

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21355, 24 December 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CHRISTMAS BOX

In the very old days, as now, boxes were placed in churches for the wealthy to fill with money contributions to various funds for poor people. Especially at Christmas time were these offerings expected from generous wealthy citizens. The practice perhaps began in early Roman times when the priests claimed money from wealthy and poor alike for the privilege of masses said and supplications made in various causes. Even as late as the seventeenth century an English writer remarked on the Roman practice of having Christmas boxes in the churches; boxes wherein people placed money sometimes for the poor, sometimes for their own benefit. Tn England the custom developed differently; first money offerings were made without compulsion. These were collected and put into separate boxes after Christmas Day —whence probably the origin of the name Boxing Day. In later times (after the sixteenth century) it became the practice for apprentices' to carry boxes round begging for these offerings from customers. "Some boys are rich by birth beyond all wants, Belov'd by uncles, and kind, good, old aunts; When time comes round a Christmas Box they bear, And one day makes them rich for all the year. This verse was written by John Gay, about 1716, and suggests that the uncles and aunts were the ones who filled the Christmas boxes at that time. The Christmas box has kept its name hut has changed its nature. It is now the name of a small or large gift, a token of respect or affection, and has not necessarily to be a box or to be contained in a box. It is a messenger carrying a message just as the Christmas card carries a message of goodwill. The Christmas card is really a diminutive form of the Christmas box; it was first introduced to England about 90 years ago. OLD CHRISTMAS GREETING Ule, Ule, Ule, Ule, Three puddings in a pule, Crack nuts, and cry Ule.

STOCKINGS OR BOOTS

Some children hang their stockings out On Christmas Eve, and have no doubt That they'll be filled by morning. But Santa Claus can find a shoe. And he can find a sabot, too. To fill with toys by morning. ,