Good King Wenceslas December 22, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Music & Dance, People.trackback
Every year, women in Random Lake, Wisconsin, ensure that every child in town receives at least one gift at Christmas.
The women hold a holiday potluck, bringing a dish to share for dinner AND a toy or article of clothing for a needy child. After dinner, they deliver the gifts collected during the toy drive.
One of my favorite yuletide carols, Good King Wenceslas, speaks of the heart-felt warmth we receive when we give the gift of holiday cheer to others.
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, tho’ the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel
* * * * *
In his master’s step he trod, where the snow lay dinted
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.
Other ideas to spread good cheer: visit a nursing home, volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank, drop off clothes at a battered women’s shelter.
For a delightful and FUN video ~ Gratitude and the Dance (Love is the Answer)
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Love your open heart and circle of connection. Thank you for sharing. xoxo
Thanks, Jackie. It’s great to spread Light, Love, and Cheer at this festive time of Year . . . but even better if we remember to do so for the next 11 months.
All wonderful ways to spread good cheer. My friend lines up projects for her kids to make and collect and her little elves deliver the goods every day starting Dec 1 through Christmas Eve. She has been taking a pic of them each day of their delivery. Funny thing yesterday she told her children the most important thing for them to learn is to give to others. Her six year old son retorted. “No, the most important thing for us to learn is to stay alive.” She corrected him with her version. This time he answered, “If we don’t stay alive, we’ll be dead and if we’re dead we can’t give to others!” Don’t you just love six year old wisdom?
What a wise little man! He probably also realizes that eating all his Brussel Sprouts will NOT help starving children in other parts of the world. 😛
One of my most favorite Christmas Eve’s involved packing food for Christmas Dinners in Orlando ~ with my sister and her family. Carols played and “elves” of all shapes, sizes, and colors collaborated to spread Holiday Cheer via full bellies.
That’s lovely that they make sure every child has a gift, the true spirit of Christmas!
Remembering our unity will bring about lasting peace.
One planet. One people. One future. _/!\_
At my church we are constantly contributing to neighborhood food pantries, and helping needy people in other ways. We don’t only do these things for strangers. Remember, people who you know personally may also be in great need. The people of my church have been very helpful to me, at times when I’ve been in need.
I also try to be personally helpful myself. One way is that in December, I always pay my rent a few weeks early; so that my landlord and his family will have a good Christmas.
Another thing. You don’t always have to do some great thing to be helpful. Sometimes just a smile and a few encouraging words might be enough.
Agreed. Being KIND doesn’t have to cost a thing. 😀
Great post. I always find that if I’m in a funk, the best way out of it is to do something nice for someone in need. It warms me from the inside out! Merry Christmas!
Good thoughts, Beth. Doing good makes us feel good. 😀
What a great tradition!
We did something similar (but on a smaller scale) at our Open House each year ~ we asked guests to bring non-perishable items for the local food bank to the party. We delivered the collected food a few days after the party.
They say there is more pleasure in giving than receiving, and it’s so true . . . when we have been able to help someone or give something to them that they really need, it makes us feel good inside.
What those women in Random Lake, Wisconsin are doing is a wonderful thing; perhaps we should take a leaf out of their book for our own little area.
It’s a FUN idea for a party or get-together . . . to have an aim beyond stuffing ourselves silly. 😛
Oh my God. OH MY GOD. How do you know people in Random Lake, Wisconsin? My sister-in-law lives there, and my mother-in-law just rented a house back there to spend part of her time. I will tell them about this program. One of both of them might like to participate.
Small world, eh? 😉
Actually I don’t know anyone in Random Lake, Wisconsin. I read about this event via Green Pages (from Green America). BFF’s uncle is from Wisconsin . . . and the name Random Lake appealed to me.
Maybe your in laws can get on the guest list for next year.
This is an absolutely, absolutely wonderful thing to do. God bless those who look out for the kids. I love this idea. Good on them.
You know, there’s a motorcycle gang here in Melbourne Australia and they play Santa at Christmas. It’s really weird to see the turnaround, but there’s good in just everybody!
Merry Christmas – and thanks for sharing that wonderful tradition.
It is a great idea for a party or holiday get-together . . . focusing on those who could really use some assistance at Christmas.
The daughter of one of my favorite waitresses formed a non profit organization (she is only 16) and collects money to help the poor in our town. Last year she gave Christmas presents to 6 families, plus each one recieved a bag of food with a turkey with all the trimmings. She was profiled in the local paper. 🙂 I too believe in giving back- have been on the recieving end of kindness many times in my life and I know how healing it can be.
I love it! Especially that she includes food for the feast!
Volunteering is a really enjoyable way to spend Christmas.
I see on the news this morning that the layby payoff gesture that started in the States has taken off here in Australia as well
It’s pretty nice idea . . . and, since millionaires seldom use layaway, you can be pretty sure of helping someone who is not raking in the Big Bucks.
Of course, now that word about the practice is spreading, some unscrupulous folks will set up layaways for luxury items . . . just to see if someone will payoff the balance for them ~ or so says the cynic in me. 😆
a wonderful tradition. There are so many ways we can be of help to others. Just do it! really.
One of my favorite things to do is make people who look “stressed” by the holidays LAUGH.
Today, at the grocery store, a harried shopper piled groceries a mile high on the conveyor belt ~ clearly, she was going to be busy baking and cooking for for the immediate future. With a sigh, she reached for a magazine to add to the pile.
I piped up, “You know you’re not going to have time to read it.”
She glanced up, surprised, then grinned and said, “It’ll be my AFTER Christmas treat.”
“Of course, the day AFTER Christmas when we all say, Aah . . . that’s better.”
She and the cashiers were still laughing when I left. 😀
I’m so in agreement 😉
We’ve scaled back considerably with the gift giving, frenzied shopping, and holiday baking.
Next year, I may do even LESS. 😉
I’m glad they are looking after the children. Making sure every child has a gift can’t be easy 🙂
A few weeks ago, the Scouts packaged food for Feed My Starving Children, last weekend, they sang Christmas carols at 2 retirement homes, and a couple days ago, my kids turned in the Christmas gifts they bought with the ‘charity’ portion of their allowance for 5 children through our city’s Christmas Angel program.
I wish we had time to do more ’cause we’re having so much fun!
That’s wonderful, Janna. I’ve done each of those things (or something similar) a time or two . . . but never all at once. Your boys are turning into Christmas Angels. 🙂
What good women.
Here in Stockport, we have a homeless charity called Wellspring and our church collects enough presents for everyone, which are handed out when they come for their Christmas Dinner. I think other churches do it too. Our local paper collects presents for deprived children. People are mostly generous, if given the opportunity.
That’s wonderful, Tilly. A local church (when we lived in New Jersey) collected coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves every winter for families in need and the homeless.
We gain when we give. 😀
Hi Nancy I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – you may or may not decide to accept and I’m sure you’ve been nominated before but nevertheless it is an opportunity for me to advertise your blog and encourage others to read it – http://creatingreciprocity.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/recommended-reading/
Enjoy the holidays!
Thanks, Patricia! Isn’t it amazing how a mere 26 letters can be combined in so many interesting ways? Here are my 7 things:
Lovely post. Tomorrow is our day for visiting a nursing home for the elderly. We are going as a family – even the tinies. It will be good.
That sounds wonderful, nuvo. Have a FUN day filled with laughter and light!
I’ve caroled at nursing homes a time or two . . . the residents are also so enthused by the music. I’ve since learned that Alzheimer’s patients who can’t walk or talk will cometimes respond to music by dancing and singing. That’s the miracle of music!
What a wonderful concept and activity!
Yes . . . cool concept to incorporate benevolence into festivities and frivolity. 😉
Now that is the true spirit of Christmas! 🙂
The true spirit of giving.