In this episode, Christine discusses the differences between Boxing Day and St Stephen’s Day which both occur on the 26th of December. She then talks about who St Stephen was and why he is celebrated on the same day every year and recognised as the first Christian martyr. Christine also examines the custom of ‘hunting of the wren’ and the reasons behind this Irish tradition.  

CHRISTINE DISCUSSES

• Why St Stephen’s Day is observed in many Western cultures and the meaning of the holiday
• The Irish custom associated with St Stephen's Day 'the hunting of the wren'
• It is thought Boxing Day comes from the act of giving boxes of money or food to servants or those less fortunate on the day after Christmas.
• What Boxing Day and St Stephen's Day mean in the modern day
• The mythology, folklore and storytelling around the wren including its ‘trickster’  nature 
• It’s this nature of the wren that links it to St Stephen’s Day and the wren boys. The story states that it flapped its wings so he would be discovered and was then joyfully danced on the drums of the soldiers allowing Cromwell and his armies to escape to safety”
• Why the wren boys were founded to end the bad fortune caused by the wren

BEST MOMENTS

"He's recognised as the first Christian martyr”

“Boxing day is not directly tied to religion, or St Stephen”

“St Stephen’s Day was our second Christmas day”

“The wren is Irish, is a trickster, a cunning trickster”

“If ever there was treachery that was fu**ing it”

“The burial of the bird makes all the bad fortune go away”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://linktr.ee/peoplewithpurpose 

Interview with Christine: https://spoti.fi/3uM7xKN

ABOUT THE HOST

Christine teaches professionals how to communicate clearly and confidently in English using structure, stories and skilful speaking.

She specialises in English pronunciation, storytelling and brain-based, cross-cultural communication, using "Culture Active: The Lewis Model." Alongside private coaching, Christine designs workshops and Communication Collectives for small groups.

In the Connected Communication Club, she hosts a vault of public speaking and communication content and runs live monthly coaching calls.

Christine’s Neurocultural Communication™ concept focuses on the Spiral of Awareness: the Self, the Brain, Language and Culture. Her approach will make you laugh and think, while nurturing natural confidence and communication courage.

Communication Club: www.connectedcommunication.club 

Website: www.languagecouragecoaching.com 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/connected_communication 

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