Wenceslas and Saint Stephen

The Feast of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, happens on the day after Christmas. Why is King Wenceslas connected to this day? And who was Wenceslas anyway?

We all know the Christmas song that starts like this:

Good King Wenceslas looked out

On the Feast of Stephen,

When the snow lay round about

Deep and crisp and even.

The song was published in 1853 in a book called, "Carols for Christmas," by Reverend John Mason Neale. But is it not your typical Christmas song.

The actual Good King Wenceslas was in fact Duke Vaclav I of Bohemia, born around 907 AD. He came to power in 921 upon the death of his father, Duke Vratislaus. Vratislaus was a Christian, but his wife, Drahomira was not. A power struggle broke out between who would control the young duke, his Christian grandmother Ludmila or his pagan mother.

Ludmila raised Vaclav for several years, but was eventually strangled by Drahomira's supporters. Vaclav remained a Christian and by all accounts was quite devout in his faith and was known for his generosity to the poor.

In 935 Vaclav was murdered by his brother, Boleslav. Boleslav assumed power and became known as Boleslav the Cruel. The murdered Vaclav was soon being hailed as a saint and a martyr for the faith.

So now we know. King Wenceslas was not a king, nor was he English, and he actually was murdered in Bohemia. We are singing a song written by an English Protestant that immortalizes a medieval Catholic saint.

Most Christmas carols are about the coming of Jesus Christ. This one tells the story of a king who braves harsh winter weather to bring food and firewood to a poor peasant.

But is is a good song with a great message, especially if you get all the way to the last verse:

Therefore, Christian men, be sure

Wealth or rank possessing,

Ye who now will bless the poor

Shall yourselves find blessing.

Use this link to see the complete lyrics.