THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMASBOXES.
It was anciently a custom to carry a box from door to door, for the collection of little presents at Christmas. In an old work entitled “The Athenian Oracle,” it is stated that, formerly, it was a custom for the monks to offer masses for the safety of all ships that went on long voyages, to each of which a little box was affixed (under the custody of the priest), into which the sailors put money or other valuables; in order to secure the prayers of the Church. At Christmas these boxes were opened, and were thence called “Christmas boxes.” In order that no person, however, indigent, should omit these presents, the poor were encouraged to hog ‘‘boxmoney” of their richer neighbour.-, to enable them to add to the priest’s perquisites. Tbs custom id “boxing” has been observed throughout England to the present day. —Loaring.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2372, 24 December 1921, Page 4
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149THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMASBOXES. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2372, 24 December 1921, Page 4
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