Michael Stuart Kelly Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Kat and I wish all OL members and readers a most happy holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and all the rest.May you and yours reap the radiance and benefits of lives well-lived.As we said last year, much joy and much love to all.Michael & Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George H. Smith Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Merry Christmas to OLers everywhere. I posted this video last year, but it is worth watching again.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgGxfh0uYMU&feature=relatedGhs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Hardin Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Incidentally, experts who have investigated the matter say that Christ was probably born in September or April. Or possibly January.One thing we know for sure: he was definitely not born on December 25th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9thdoctor Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 What on earth? In the middle, looks like the guy is having his face pushed into the other guy's naked backside! I say let's keep this G rated.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3z1iOvXpeY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroljane Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Today is Christmas Eve for everybody but me. Both sons are working over the hols so our Xmas will be on the 28th. I plan to buy all the gifts in the Boxing Day sales. . I hate shopping with a fierce passion. I know you are not theists, but pray for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George H. Smith Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Today is Christmas Eve for everybody but me. Both sons are working over the hols so our Xmas will be on the 28th. I plan to buy all the gifts in the Boxing Day sales. . I hate shopping with a fierce passion. I know you are not theists, but pray for me.I prayed for you, but God said he was busy. He is having a birthday party for himself tomorrow, and there is a lot to do.Ghs, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selene Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Boxing Day When is Boxing Day? | Why is it called Boxing Day? | History of Boxing Day St Stephen's Day | What happens on Boxing Day? | Fox Hunting | Hunting the WrenWhen is Boxing Day?In Britain, Boxing Day is usually celebrated on the following day after Christmas Day, which is 26 December. However, strictly speaking, Boxing Day is the first weekday after Christmas (see definition in the Oxford English Dictionary).Like Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a public holiday. This means it is typically a non working day in the whole of Britain. When Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday the following Monday is the public holiday. © copyright of projectbritain.com History of Boxing Day - Boxing Day originsThrough our research for this page, we have discovered that Christmas Boxes were used in different ways: To protect shipsDuring the Age of Exploration, when great sailing ships were setting off to discover new land, A Christmas Box was used as a good luck device. It was a small container placed on each ship while it was still in port. It was put there by a priest, and those crewmen who wanted to ensure a safe return would drop money into the box. It was then sealed up and kept on board for the entire voyage. © copyright of projectbritain.com If the ship came home safely, the box was handed over to the priest in the exchange for the saying of a Mass of thanks for the success of the voyage. The Priest would keep the box sealed until Christmas when he would open it to share the contents with the poor. To help the poor An 'Alms Box' was placed in every church on Christmas Day, into which worshippers placed a gift for the poor of the parish. These boxes were always opened the day after Christmas, which is why that day became know as Boxing Day. A present for the workers Many poorly paid workers were required to work on Christmas Day and took the following day off to visit their families. As they prepared to leave, their employers would present them with Christmas boxes. copyright of projectbritain.com During the late 18th century, Lords and Ladies of the manor would "box up" their leftover food, or sometimes gifts and distribute them the day after Christmas to tenants who lived and worked on their lands. And the tradition still continues today ...... The tradition of giving money to workers still continues today. It is customary for householders to give small gifts or monetary tips to regular visiting trades people (the milkman, dustman, coalman, paper boy etc.) and, in some work places, for employers to give a Christmas bonus to employees. Schools across the country gather together gifts to be put in Christmas Boxes that are sent to poorer countries. Interesting Christmas Fact The Christmas boxes were made from clay and were necessarily made in the shape of a box. They were often hollow clay balls with a slit in the top. What happens on Boxing Day in England? Follow this link to read about other events in England, Wales and Scotland Boxing Day Hunts Traditionally Boxing Day is a day for fox hunting. Horse riders dressed in red and white riding gear, accompanied by a number of dogs called foxhounds, chase the fox through the countryside in the hope of tiring it out. Eventually the hunters hope the fox will be so tired that the dogs will be able to catch it and kill it. Many animal welfare campaigners object to fox hunting saying it is cruel to kill a fox in this way, while many participants view it as a crucial part of rural history in England, vital for conservation, and a method of pest control. In November 2004, MPs voted to ban hunting with dogs in England and Wales. As from 18 February 2005 hunting with dogs became a criminal offence (although it is still legal to exercise hounds, chase a scent and flush out foxes to be shot). Family Time Traditionally, Boxing Day is the day when families get together. It is a day of watching sports and playing board games with the family. Boxing Day TeaMany families will go on walks in the countryside together on Boxing day. Shopping In recent times, some shops have broken from tradition and started opening on Boxing Day to start the New Year sales. Hundreds of people now spend Boxing Day morning in queues outside shops, waiting to be the first to dive for the sales racks as the doors opened. Hunting of the Wren It is unlucky to kill a wren on any day apart from Boxing Day. Hunting of the Wren on Boxing Day was once a popular activity in England. Groups of young boys know as 'Wren boys' would hunt a wren and then tie the dead bird to the top of a pole, decorated with holly sprigs and ribbons. With blackened faces, the group would sing at houses in hopes for coins, gifts or food. "The wren, the wren, the king of all birds On St Stephen's Day was caught in the furze, We hunted him far and hunted him near And found him under the bushes here. Hurrah, my boys, hurrah! Hurrah, my boys, hurrah! Knock at the knocker and ring at the bell, And give us a copper for singing so well." Those that gave money to the boys would receive a feather from the wren as thanks. The collected money was then used to host a village dance. This odd ritual was not restricted to England. It was prevalent in some continental countries on Boxing Day as well as the Isle of Man, Wales and Ireland. The following information has been very kindly provided by Eoghan, Peter and Feidhlim Deering, Ireland. Christmas in IrelandIn Ireland, 26th December is known as "St Stephen's Day" rather than "Boxing Day", and is famous for its "Wren Boys". Many years ago the Wren Boys would go out on St Stephen's Day, catch a wren and kill it by throwing stones at it, just as St Stephen was stoned to death. Then they would blacken their faces with burnt cork, tie the dead wren to a pole and parade around the town with it, knocking at all the houses for money. Nowadays the "Wren Boys" just go round our town in fancy dress (usually the men wear women's dresses and wigs), carrying a stuffed bird in a cage, singing carols and collecting money for charity. Our town also has a famous fox hunt on St Stephen's Day. Some people think this is just as cruel as stoning a wren, but in Ireland it hasn't been banned yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroljane Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Boxing DayAnd the tradition still continues today ...... In Ireland, 26th December is known as "St Stephen's Day" rather than "Boxing Day", and is famous for its "Wren Boys". Nowadays the "Wren Boys" just go round our town in fancy dress (usually the men wear women's dresses and wigs), carrying a stuffed bird in a cage, singing carols and collecting money for charity. Doesn't everybody do this? In St Stephen, N.B., the men do it all year round. Except for the charity part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroljane Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Today is Christmas Eve for everybody but me. Both sons are working over the hols so our Xmas will be on the 28th. I plan to buy all the gifts in the Boxing Day sales. . I hate shopping with a fierce passion. I know you are not theists, but pray for me.I prayed for you, but God said he was busy. He is having a birthday party for himself tomorrow, and there is a lot to do.Ghs,Thanks for trying anyway, George. Typical God. I will just go out and do as he does and not as he says, serve Him right. I will buy myself some presents even tho it is not my birthday. I have finished reading and drinking all the gifts I got for everybody else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaalChatzaf Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Mark the day. Newtonmas, Dec 25.Ba'al Chatzaf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George H. Smith Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 This is a video Christmas Greeting that I made for Sharon Presley and posted on her Facebook wall earlier today. Ghs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Hardin Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 What on earth? In the middle, looks like the guy is having his face pushed into the other guy's naked backside! I say let's keep this G rated.Well, Excuuuuuse me, but the last time I checked, this is an adult website—well, in the pre-porn sense of “adult,” anyway. You can yawn through Burl Ive’s nauseating smaltz if you want to. Personally, my favorite Christmas special is Dennis Leary’s. . .And my favorite segment features Carmen Electra. . .Or should I say, Carmen Electra’s . . .(OK. OK. I’ll clean it up.). . .(Her t-shirt says 'TITS FOR TOTS')Seriously, folks, Best Wishes for a very Merry Christmas to everyone at OL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9thdoctor Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 You can yawn through Burl Ive’s nauseating smaltz if you want to. I don’t think Schmaltz is part of the recipe, it’s just all sugar, too much sugar, enough to leave me bouncing off walls. So much, that now all I want to do is KILL THE WABBIT!!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LsPN98b3PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Stuart Kelly Posted December 25, 2011 Author Share Posted December 25, 2011 I think I'm gonna regret something...Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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