Good King Wenceslas

I have always had a secret admiration for the good king. To me he set a wonderful example of how a king should be. The fact that he did it on the 26th of December, the feast of Stephen, for whom my greatly admired uncle was named, makes it more special.

I feel that every one should share this wonderful saint’s attributes.

During a time of joyous festivities, he glanced outside – it was a beautiful winter white snow view.

Then he saw a poor person struggling in the snow to find firewood to keep himself and his family warm.

In the 10th Century, kings usually ignored peasants and their plights. This king was different – he had compassion and a generous love for his fellow man.

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel

He called his young page who was a local lad to ask where the peasant was from.

Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.

Notwithstanding the weather or the distance, he himself went out to help with gifts and firewood.

Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather

The going was hard and the young feller faltered, but had the courage to call out.

Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
I can go no longer.

The king was resolute and filled with good purpose, he gave the page hope and direction and told him to have faith that they were doing the right thing

Mark my footsteps, good my page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shall find the winters rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.

Encouraged and filled with the zeal that the king had shown him, he struggled on and found warmth in his cause.

In his masters step he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed.

This is the very spirit of Christmas and the message is for us all

Therefore, all of you, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye, who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.

Let us be grateful that we can give.

Amen!