“Saint Stephen’s Day is a Christian saint’s day to commemorate the first Christian martyr, celebrated on 26 December in Western Christianity and 27 December in Eastern Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early Church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him^{[Acts 7:51–53]} and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become a Christian apostle, participated in Stephen’s martyrdom.^{[Acts 22:20]}

Stephen is first mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as one of seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to distribute food and charitable aid to poorer members of the community in the early church. “Saint Stephen’s Day“, is mentioned in the English Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas” and is a public holiday in many nations that are of historic Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran traditions. In Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom, the day is celebrated as “Boxing Day“. Though it originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor, today Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day

As Kurt Vonnegut used to say, “So it goes.”

Today’s senryu: Remember St. Stephen While Shopping Today

we are flexible

Christ and Capitalism

multi-tasking day

Boxing Day crowds shopping at Toronto’s Eaton Centre.