We need more festivals,rituals and ceremonies that draw people togetherToday is Boxing Day, which means, and er,well I don’t know what it means. It is rather like the Jewish festival of Purim, which a lot of Jews aren’t sure about either – as far as I can compose out from the wonderful Christopher Guest film For Your Consideration, and a spoof on film awards that features the disastrous nominee Home for Purim.
Thinking of Boxing Day leads me to consider our national festivals. After today,(in no specific order) there’s Shrove Tuesday, Easter, or Fireworks Night,May Day and, whether you’re a pagan or a Wiccan, and the solstices. We’ve even imported a few – Chinese original Year and the Americanised version of Halloween arrive to mind,plus Burns Night and St Paddy’s Day whether you are of a Celtic or Gaelic disposition. You could throw in Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day whether you like, but these are celebrations aimed at individuals rather than familial.
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Source: theguardian.com