Blessed be St. Stephen,
There's no fast upon his even.
Old saying.
Bishop Hall says: "On St. Stephen's Day blessings are implored upon pastures."
December 28th. (Innocents' Day, or Childermas Day.)
According to the monks, it was very unlucky to begin any work on Childermas Day, and what soever day that falls on, whether on the Monday, or Tuesday, or any other, nothing must be begun on that day through the year.
Henry Bourne, 1725.
Days lengthen a cock's stride each day after Christmas.