A Reflection for the Day After Christmas

Two days ago, on December 26, people in  Britain and many current and former British colonies celebrated Boxing Day.  If you're not familiar with this tradition, here is an explanation from a popular online reference site:

Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes. 

Another theory is that the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened and the contents distributed on December 26, which is also the Feast of St. Stephen.   Read more

At a time when anti-hunger advocates are asking Congress and President Obama not to sacrifice programs for the poor and hungry in their negotiations on an emergency budget deal,  I think it is appropriate to share the reflections that Sojouners posted in Verse and Voice on December 26. 

Photo by Rene Ronquillo

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor [God].
 -Proverbs 14:31

Our problems stem from our acceptance of this filthy, rotten system. -Dorothy Day

Lord, your coming is still miraculous. Your joining the family of the poor and displaced still baffles and convicts us. Keep us by your manger until we learn the way of love. Amen. - From Common Prayer