Good King Wenceslas 19th Century Carol with a Contemporary Message for Rural Communities

I was recently reflecting on the words of the Carol “Good King Wenceslas" and realised that the song may have a contemporary relevance for rural communities today.  For the words to the carol Click HERE

The fictitious story depicted in the carol was made up by Czech poet Václav Alois Svoboda in 1847.  (Hymnal) However there was a Duke of Wenceslas who lived between (907 & 935) in Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. Wenceslas was a Christian who ruled the country well, establishing education and law and order systems. However when he was 22 his brother Boleslav plotted against him and Wenceslas was murdered by Bolslav’s followers while on his way to church.  (Christmas.com)

The words of the Carol based on the story were written by the 19^th century writer J M Neale who put the words to the 13^th century Swedish Easter (Flower Carol); which compares spring to resurrection and praises the maker who brings resurrection to all.      (Hymnal)

However despite its lack of historical accuracy the carol I believe has a powerful and relevant message for us today.

The context is the feast of Stephen, December 26th or Boxing Day. In medieval times the arms boxes in churches would be opened and the money distributed to the poor in the community. In later times it was a day when the servants of big houses would be given a day off and Christmas boxes would be distributed.

However this can be a cold period in the year as hinted at by (the moon shining brightly) a sign of clear skies resulting from a high pressure weather system. If a high pressure system settles over the country this can result in severe frosts and if there has previously been snow and a slight thaw the ground will be frozen hard like iron making it impossible to collect any wood, which may be lying on the ground and frozen under the snow’s surface.  Hence the peasant has wandered far from his home to gather winter fuel. The distance he has traveled being a league which is about five and a half km and even in good walking conditions would be over an hour and half walk illustrating his desperation to find fuel to keep warm. Ironically the page notes that the peasant lives near the forest fence, so why had he wandered so far if he was in need of fuel when there was forest near-by?  Perhaps the forest was fenced and that peasants were banned from entering it.  

 

The carol starts with King Wenceslas looking out and observing and then asking his page about what he saw.  This is perhaps an example to us all to look around us and observe what is going on in our local community and then asks others about what we see.

The king’s response, when he understands that the peasant is in need is to gather supplies and to go to where the peasant lives. He gathers together both quality food and drink, illustrated by the flesh or meat, which is sustaining food and also considers, in addition to the food, the need to provide fuel so that the peasant can cook and keep warm.

He then proceeds to journey with the supplies assisted by his page to where the peasant lives.  The king is personally getting involved in this incarnational task and at the same time involving others in the task.  Just as in our churches we might consider inviting others to partner or join with us in the service of the community. In fact it’s clear that in this charitable action the King and the page are journeying together. Perhaps a reminder of the story in the Gospels where Jesus sends out the disciple’s in twos ahead of him.  Luke 10v1

As they journey the page expresses anxiety about the task and refers to the darker night and the wind blowing stronger.  The King encourages the Page to keep close and follow in his very steps. Certainly to be separated when conditions are deteriorating would have been treacherous  for both the King and the page and emphasises the importance, that this is not a solo task.

The last verse highlights that it’s not only by keeping together and working in partnership that all can be blessed through engaging in service to the most vulnerable in their community. In that it doesn’t matter if you are a King or a page or have little yourself your will be blessed as you look around you at your community identifying the communities needs and inviting others to join with you in meeting those needs.

On reflecting on the Carol and looking around at our rural communities I can see that perhaps it also has a prophetic word for us today as fuel poverty, which just like in the carol, can be particularly acute in rural areas.

Fuel poverty is when a household’s fuel costs are above the national average and were to cover the costs of the fuel would mean the household is left with a residual income below the official poverty line.

Patterns of fuel poverty are often higher in rural communities for several reasons.

Firstly rural communities are usually well beyond the reach of the national gas grid which provides one of the cheaper ways to heat properties so people have to rely on oil, bottle gas or solid fuel which is more expensive. Even the price of logs has been rising steeply over recent years due to the popularity of wood burning stoves making logs less affordable.

Secondly properties in rural areas are often old and poorly insulated. With planning restrictions in areas of protected landscape such as conservation areas and National parks making it either more expensive or impossible to fit heat conserving features such as double glazing or to clad a building.

So how might rural churches and other people living in rural locations respond to the needs of the poor or vulnerable as winter approaches?

Firstly we can follow the example of King Wenceslas and look around is to identify those who are vulnerable or are likely to be in fuel poverty and then we can invite others to work with us to make sure people are looked after.

This might be as simple as providing insulation advice or helping people insulate their homes.  It could also involve making sure people are on the cheapest tariffs for electricity or gas if available. As a community we could perhaps start a fuel purchasing co-operative so that everyone can befit from lower prices for heating fuels.

As Christmas is a time of giving and receiving gifts we might also follow the example of King Wenceslas. For example, in Greystoke in Cumbria, a parish charity used to provide a sack of coal for older people, which in more recent years has been replaced by a gift of a Christmas hamper.  In Skipton, the Baptist Church provides Christmas hampers which has evolved in to the establishment of a food bank.  

More ideas on how your community can help people cope with winter weather and fuel poverty check out the Rural Action Yorkshire website and their Energy and Fuel Poverty Resources by clicking HERE and for Winter Weather Resources click HERE  

Bibliography

Christmas.com, W., n.d. Some Stories behind Christmas Carols. [Online]
Available at: www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols_stories.shtml
[Accessed 28th Oct 2015].

Hymnal, C., n.d. FLOWER CAROL. [Online]
Available at: http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/l/flowcaro.htm
[Accessed 28th Oct 2015].