Good King Wenceslas

December 26 is St Stephen’s Day. It was on this day, probably sometime in the 10th century, that a Bohemian nobleman known as Svatý Václav is said to have spotted a thinly-clad peasant collecting firewood in deep snow near the distant edge of one of his fields. With the help of his servant, Václav hastily packed a quantity of food, wine, and dry wood, and set out through the dark, winter landscape to render aid. While crossing the field, the servant’s feet became frozen and he signalled his master that he could go no further. Fixing his eyes upon the younger man, the lord instructed him to walk exactly behind him, stepping in his footprints instead of breaking his own trail. To the servant’s astonishment, heat was found to radiate from his master’s footprints such that his own frozen feet were warmed, and he was able to continue. They soon reached the soaked and shivering peasant, guided him to his home in the wood, and there bestowed their gifts of warmth and a welcome feast upon the man and his family.

Thus we have the legend of Good King Wenceslas, which has become a beloved part of the Christmas tradition in Europe, America, and in the Baier home.

This retelling of the Good King Wenceslas story by Jane Seymour was recorded at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas Concert in 2012.