Good King Wenceslas

On Tuesday, I read a book to my class during read aloud time called "Good King Wenceslas". I can't really find the author's name, but this version comes with a DVD (CD?) where Jane Seymour narrates and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs. It's a narrative of the story that's told in the Christmas carol of the same name. I've always liked that carol, because I thought it was funny that Stephen had a feast. As a child (and young[er] adult!), I didn't understand that "Feast of Stephen" meant that it was the Feast day of Stephen, nor did I have any clue what "Feast day" meant. That is, until I worked at a Catholic school and I discovered that there are many Feast days, and the Feast of Stephen just happens to be in December near Christmastime.

Ok, all that said...it's a great carol. It tells of a kind king, who instead of selfishly staying in his warm castle goes out into the cold snowy night with his page boy to help out a poor man and his family by taking them food and wood for a fire (winter fuel!). So many things I misunderstood as a child become clear as I learn more about our world and have a greater understanding of the meanings that words have. Funny how that works, right?

Anyway...besides the story, I wanted to share this picture:

This picture is from our "Epic Roadtrip" this past summer. We went to Iowa, and when we met our friends for dinner, they suggested we meet in the Czech Village area. While walking around down there, I saw this and snapped a picture. I am amazed that this guy existed and his story is being carried on. It makes me wonder what other things he did, though, and why we don't mention his "goodness" in other narratives. It might be worth researching to see if it's just passed down in the Czech culture and hasn't been made known to the rest of us who are ignorant of just how good King Wenceslaus was! :)