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 First
things first, who is Wenceslas? Wenceslas is actually the latinized
version of the Czech name Václav. Václav/Wenceslas was a real man
who lived from approximately 907 until 935 A.D. in the duchy of
Bohemia in what is present-day Czech Republic. He was the grandson
of Duke Bořivoj I of Bohemia and Ludmila who were converted to
Christianity by famous missionaries to the Slavic peoples, Cyril and
Methodius. Cyril might be recognized by anyone familiar with the
Cyrillic alphabet, an alphabet he developed that is still in use by
a number of Slavic languages including Russian, Ukrainian, and
Bulgarian.
Wenceslas was the son of Vratislaus I, Duke of Bohemia, who was
brought up in the Christian faith by his parents, and his wife
Drahomira who, although baptized before their wedding, remained in
alliance with the pagan religious traditions of her family.
Wenceslas was primarily raised by his devout grandmother Ludmila,
who was later canonized as a saint in her own right. At the death of
his father Vratislaus, Wencelas was only 13 years old, so Ludmila
became regent until her grandson reached majority. Before that could
happen, Drahomira arranged for Ludmila’s assassination, so that
Drahomira could wield power herself. She used her newfound influence
to suppress Bohemia’s Christians.
When Wenceslas reached age 18, the remaining Christian nobles
supported Wenceslas in rebellion against his mother. Wenceslas
became the rightful duke, exiled his mother, and, according to “The
Real Story Behind Good King Wenceslas,” “sought to spread
Christianity. He commissioned the building of several churches
including part of what is now St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. He also
developed a reputation as a wise and compassionate ruler, known for
his deeds of mercy. Legend has it that he paid particular attention
to caring for the poor, widows, orphans and even prisoners. He
opposed the slave market and would buy slaves in order to set them
free. He also is known for successfully negotiating peace with the
Bavarians, who had been traditional enemies of Bohemians.”
All was not well, however, as his younger brother
Boleslav grew jealous and wanted to rule the duchy himself. With the
support of their mother, Boleslav planned his brother’s overthrow.
Taking advantage of Wenceslas' piety, Boleslav invited him to
celebrate a Christian feast day and, on the way to church, Boleslav
and his associates assassinated him. Almost immediately upon his
death, Wenceslas was revered for his piety and good works. People
began to make pilgrimages to his grave to honor him and attributed
miracles to his intercession.
Today Wenceslas is the patron saint of the Czech Republic, Bohemia,
and Prague. His feast day, September 28, the day he was murdered, is
a public holiday in the Czech Republic, celebrating Czech statehood.
His statue has adorned Wenceslas Square in Prague for almost 100
years. Pilgrims may still visit his grave in St. Vitus cathedral at
Prague Castle– one of the churches that he helped to build.
Wenceslas died while a duke, so how did a deceased duke become a
legendary king? A few years after his death, Holy Roman Emperor Otto
I posthumously awarded Wenceslas the title of king. King Wenceslas
became a model for the medieval vision of a “righteous king;” one
who used his power and influence for God and for the good and
service of his people.
But what is the connection of a Bohemian saint to American
Christmas? In 1849, John Mason Neale, an English scholar, hymn
writer and Anglican priest, wrote the lyrics to “Good King
Wenceslas” for the Feast of St. Stephen, which falls on the day
after Christmas, the second day of Christmastide in the liturgical
calendar. He published them first in a children's book entitled
“Deeds of Faith” and four years later in a book of carols.
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The Feast of St. Stephen honors the first Christian
martyr as recorded in the New Testament book of Acts. Stephen was
also known for his good works and described as “a man full of God’s
grace and power” (Acts 6:8). He was a deacon in the early church,
charged, along with six others, to fairly distribute assistance to
widows after concerns about inequitable treatment. A vocal proponent
of Christ, Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish
religious council in Jerusalem, and falsely accused of blasphemy.
His outspoken preaching so incensed the council that he was dragged
outside the city and stoned to death while Saul, later to become the
Apostle Paul, looked on in approval.
The Feast of St. Stephen on December 26 is known as
Boxing Day in the United Kingdom, which is a public holiday in the
UK and most of the Anglophone world. Traditionally Boxing Day was
observed by giving gifts to servants, tradespeople, and the poor.
John Mason Neale published “Good King Wenceslas” to encourage
charitable deeds and gifts following the example of the “righteous
king.”
Good King Wenceslas, St. Stephen, Boxing Day… the connection should
be clear: intentionally giving to those in need, even when the
giving comes at personal cost. The second day of Christmas reminds
us that after the joy of the birth of Christ, we recall the purpose
of Christ’s birth: to give his own life to save humankind from their
sins. “Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of
earth; Born to give them second birth,” as another favorite
Christmas carol tells us.
Saints like Stephen and Wenceslas encourage us to follow them as
they follow Christ in the path of charity and sacrificial giving.
Does sacrificial giving sound like too big of an ask? Consider the
final stanza of “Good King Wenceslas”: “Therefore, Christian men, be
sure, wealth or rank possessing, You who now will bless the poor
shall yourselves find blessing.”
In Jesus’ words, “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38).
Have a blessed Christmas!
[Stephanie Hall]
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/
the-real-story-behind-good-king-wenceslas
https://hymnary.org/text/good_king
_wenceslas_looked_out
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