The Good King

Good King Wenceslaus looked out on the Feast of Stephen.

When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even . . .

No, I haven't lost my mind—I do know what month it is, and I'm usually in the "No Christmas Music until sometime in December Camp," but today I'm going to make an exception because it is, in fact, the feast of Saint Wenceslaus and well, that's the only song I know about the guy.

If you're like me, you can really sing out on those first few lines and then the rest just gets lost in some good-natured humming and jumping in when you can figure out the next word before the song moves on. In fact, up until a few years ago, I had no idea that the song was even referring to a real person. If you don't mind the song being stuck in your head the rest of the day take a moment and go read all the lyrics—they tell the story of a good King looking out his window on a stormy, snowy night and setting off with his page to bring food and warmth to a poor man he sees gathering firewood in the winter storm.

The good King seems to have taken today's Old Testament reading to heart as we're reminded that those of us who have sown much, drank much, eaten much and who have clothed ourselves have done nothing and received nothing if we do not do things for God and only keep these things for ourselves. (Haggai 1:6) When we keep our goods only to ourselves, we put our "earnings" into a bag full of holes and hold on to nothing, but when we give we gain everything.

Today let's remember that our belongings, our food, our drink, our earnings do not belong to us alone—they are tools given to us by God to bless others in His name. Let us not be afraid to set out as Saint Wenceslaus did, unafraid and bursting with generosity to bless another, as his song reminds us that those of us who bless the poorest among us will find blessing ourselves.

How can you share your blessings today? Is there a friend or family member in your life who is hurting? Can you reach out to them in love?

When we give we gain everything.Click to tweet

Molly Walter is the Blog Manager for Blessed is She, a Catholic convert, wife and mother to two children on Earth and four babies called home to Jesus. She has a deep love of her faith, her family, literature, handcrafts, gardening, and Star Wars. When not working full time outside the home or wrangling her next family adventure, she blogs about all the good things in life. You can find out more about her here.