: BTW, my original plans didn't call for a drawer, but I though it would look
: better, so what should I put in it?

Line the drawer bottom with a piece of 100% wool felt. This is considered more "archival" than the cheaper synthetic felts, and for the size you need, it is only a modest additional cost. Then use it to store a magnifying glass, or reading glasses.

You could divide the drawer with an insert and store glasses on one felt-lined side and an almanac, missal, hymnal, or other tract on the other unlined side.
Typically this drawer might store some candles, a candle holder, matches and a candle snuffer. Then you would have the necessities of old: light and the glasses to read your bible in the evenings of long-ago, before electricity brought us TVs and random orbital sanders for finishing our boats.

This is also a nice place to store small treasures like lockets with pictures of your ancestors, or perhaps you've inherited their wedding rings or other jewelry.

: And on that note, should I have handles on the sides that make it possible to
: lift the box?

No, this is meant to stay in one (honored) place in your home and should not give the impression that is is about to be packed up and carried off. Think of it as an enclosed book case. You wouldn't put handles on a book case, would you?

: I need some expert opinions.

Well, I'm not an expert, just opinionated

PGJ