I’ve been ruminating on the lyrics of my all-time favourite Christmas carol a lot this week. I don’t really know why it’s my favourite, but it always has been. I think I learned it as a child, and something about it has just stuck in my ‘favourites’ folder.

There is SO MUCH to be taken from these words, from this ancient story about a good Bohemian king who was known  for his kindness. What an amazing thing to be known for – ruling with kindness. That’s pretty Christmassy in my book.

So I just wanted to share the lyrics to the carol with you, and tell you that my Christmas wish for you is that something in this carol resonates with you, even if you have to read it twice to get through ye olde language, and that you’ll see what I see, especially as the song progresses – a story about a king, and a page, and their journey to assisting someone in need.

Good King Wenceslas

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

Without wanting to take away from the message of Good King Wenceslas, I also want to say that I value each and every one of you that visits here, whether you’re a regular reader or an occasional reader, or if it’s your first time here – hello, thank you for visiting I Give You The Verbs, and thank you for making this one of the best years I’ve had in a really long time, even though I’ve needed my own Wenceslases, quite often. I’ve been so blessed by people’s generosity and kindness.

Merry Christmas, or have a great Thursday. Don’t forget Good King Wenceslas.

Much love,

Annette x