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 knows 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 them 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"
"Ark 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 step he trod
Where the snow lay dented
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

When I was singing soprano in my choir at the private Christian school I went to, right up until I left during my freshman year of high school, my favorite time to practice singing was during the Christmas season. This has always been my favorite carol, along with Silver Bells being a close second. Although I don't retain the strong Christian beliefs I had through most of my youth and roughly preteen years, this still remains a beloved example of the kindness I've always aspired to be. This year, on my birthday today, I'd like to find a way to show some kindness to someone, somewhere, somehow. That, and a little bit of snow, would be all I'd need to be happy on this day.