I used to think Boxing Day was about, well, boxing. I figured it was the Super Bowl for heavyweight champions. I wondered why I never heard about any of the fights, only to discover the holiday had its origins in a very different kind of box: the cardboard kind.
Often servants—who’d spent Christmas Day taking care of the family’s holiday festivities—would be given a box with provisions and tokens of gratitude to celebrate with their own families on December 26.
Charity drives are also associated with Boxing Day. What better time to give back than the day after you’ve received.
The day is also known as St. Stephen’s Day, the martyr who was stoned to death for proclaiming Christ. He was a known supporter of the poor, of helping those in need.
So Boxing Day isn’t about the sport at all— it’s about giving, and reflecting, and breathing that well-deserved exhale after the build-up leading to Christmas. It’s somewhat of a life denouement, that downward slope you learned about in your high school English class.
It’s about boxing up goodwill and sharing with others.
But I challenge you today to box up something else. One thing that has bothered you all year. A habit you can’t shake, a hurt you can’t let go of, or a relationship you cannot mend on your own. Box it up from the depths of your heart, where it has given place to pain and despair in your life.
And hand it to Jesus.
You’ve given Him your praise, your time, your joy. But He wants your burdens as well.
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22
Go into the new year lighter, knowing that in your obedience this Boxing Day, you’ve given yourself a gift that’s priceless.
faith unfaded 
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