The Story Behind the Carol: Good King Wenceslas — Kelly Goshorn

Today I’m happy to welcome author Kelly Goshorn to the blog as she shares the story behind a favorite Christmas Carol.

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.

King Wenceslas was a real historical figure, Duke Svatý Václav of Bohemia (a region in the modern-day Czech Republic) during the early tenth century who was known for his devout Christian faith and acts of kindness and charity. The name Wenceslas is a Latinised version of the old Czech language, “Venceslav.”

“Bring me flesh and bring me wine, Bring me pine logs hither.

Thou and I will see him dine when we bear them thither.”

Long before gift-giving became associated with Christmas, the Duke, accompanied by his pages, routinely visited the poorest of his subjects bringing with him gifts of food, clothing, and firewood. These visits not only provided for the practical needs of those in his realm but showed his compassion and provided hope to many in the middle of a cold, dark winter.

“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, good my page: tread thou in them boldly:

Thou shalt find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly.”

Though winter conditions could be extremely harsh, Wenceslas never postponed his rounds thus making the night before Christmas special for many in his realm and was considered an answer to prayer in that his gifts would help sustain them through the winter.

Although Wenceslas held a position of importance, he never lost compassion for the ‘least of these,’ choosing at times to serve rather than be served. Sadly, at the age of twenty-two, Wenceslas was assassinated by his brother while on his way to church for morning prayers. He was regaled as a martyr and saint almost immediately and a few years after his death Holy Roman Emperor Otto I gave him the title of King.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure wealth or rank possessing,

Ye who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

But it’s Wenceslas’ example of humility and charity that nineteenth century priest, John Neale, captured when he penned the words to this popular carol to celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen. Also known as Boxing Day, the Feast of St. Stephen encourages charitable giving on the Second Day of Christmas.

Now the words of this beloved carol have new meaning as they challenge me to keep faith, hope, and kindness alive not only at Christmas but throughout the year.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

With pert opinions and a less-than-perfect figure, Ruth Ann Sutton doesn’t measure up to society’s vision of a perfect lady. When she accepts a position teaching in a Freedman’s School, it threatens the only marriage offer Ruth Ann is likely to receive. She’s forced to choose between life as a lonely spinster or reinventing herself to secure a respectable proposal.

Determined to rise above his meager beginnings, Benjamin Coulter’s reputation as a fast learner and hard worker earn him the opportunity to apprentice with a surveyor for the railroad—a position that will garner the respect of other men. After a chance encounter with Ruth Ann Sutton, Benjamin is smitten with her pretty face, quick wit, and feisty personality.

When others ridicule his choice, will Benjamin listen to his heart or put ambition first?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelly Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into uplifting stories of love, faith, and family set in nineteenth century America. She earned her B.A. in Social Studies Education from Messiah College and her M.Ed. in History from The Pennsylvania State University. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, won the Director’s Choice Award for Adult/YA fiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference in 2019, and earned recognition as both a Selah Award finalist in the Historical Romance category and as a Maggie Award Finalist for Inspirational Fiction. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys spending time with her young adult children, binge-watching BBC period dramas, board gaming with her husband, and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi.

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