Catch of the Day
Good King Wenceslas
by John Fischer
Neil is an executive for a national financial institution located in Pennsylvania. He is a reader and regular supporter of the Catch of the Day. Just yesterday he told me a story of his own giving experience that resulted in a deeper understanding of what it means to give and receive.
It seems that he and a buddy got wind of a single woman in their church who was having trouble keeping her house warm for her and her children. With the help of his friend, Neil determined to help this woman by driving a load of firewood to her house. Hearing him talk about the snowstorm that complicated their delivery made me immediately think about images from the English carol "Good King Wenceslas," about a king who braves a winter storm to bring wood to a poor peasant (see below).
In the process, she asked which one of the services this week they were going to attend. (They are all part of a large church that puts on eight Christmas programs over the holidays mainly as an outreach to the community.) When they told her and asked her the same question, she said she was going to all of them. "I have 17 of my friends coming and 13 of them don't know Jesus."
Suddenly Neil realized he was in the presence of a fellow believer who was herself in the process of giving, just like he was. This often happens in our giving. We think we are bettering someone's life only to discover that we are the ones who have the most to learn. That's why we must keep an open mind at all times. Look out: You never know what you're going to receive when you give. And like the good king Wenceslas, you always get blessed when you bless.
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 .
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Copyright © 2009 by John Fischer
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