Today is the feast day of Saint Wenceslas, patron saint and duke of Bohemia from 924-929. You may have heard of him in the Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslas". I admit I think of Saint Wenceslas' on December 26th every year (The "Feast of Stephen"). I had no idea his feast day was in September.
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
4 comments:
Apparently St. Wenceslas just "looked out" on the Feast of Stephen. So perhaps St. Stephen looked out on the feast of St. Wenceslas????? Interesting thought. Also, the picture you have of Jesus looking up with his good ol' heart glowing -- I think you should repost it with a "What is he thinking" question. It just looks like he is really thinking, and I think it would be cool to see what others see. I would gladly participate.
You are SO creative! How's the house painting going? Or, how is the moving around of massive amounts of stuff going? :)
Ruh - Ro, I just had an e-mail I sent to you booted back to me. Is your in box full again?????? Acckkkkk.
Shouldn't be. Let me check.
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