Good King Wenceslas provides a model of thoughtful kindness in public life. Although he was surrounded by political intrigue and treachery, he managed to maintain a vital Christian faith and demonstrated significant compassion toward those in need. His life of devotion to Christ in the murky waters of the royal courts of old Bohemia (in the 10th century AD) is an inspiration, and his loving kindness memorialized in the Christmas Carol that bares his name is a fitting tribute to his spirit of openness to Christ.
King Wenceslas is better known in the Czech Republic as Saint Václav. Soon after his death at the hands of a conniving brother who was seeking political power, Václav was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Eight centuries later, a clergyman in the Church of England, named John Mason Neale, wrote a poem in his honor, and it was put to the music of an old Finnish Tune.
I’m going to try to learn this carol for Christmas. I think it's certainly more edifying than Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman, which I know by heart.
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
Gath'ring winter fuel
"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st 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."
"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather
"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing
