Waiting for a bag of food at GLIDE today |
Technically, it's a little early for this carol. Good King Wenceslas tells the story of a king and his page encountering a poor peasant on the feast of St. Stephen (December 26). But it seems a fitting song, given what is unfolding outside my office window.
Today is GLIDE's Grocery Bag giveaway. Thousands of people are waiting in line to get a bag filled with groceries: turkey, potatoes, bread, vegetables, and lots more. Thousands of volunteers are filling bags, handing them out, and helping folks make their way home. It is an amazing day of generosity.
The carol Good King Wenceslas tells a similar story of generosity:
Good King Wenceslas looked out
on the feast of Stephen,
when the snow lay round about,
deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shown the moon that night,
though the frost was cruel,
when a poor man came in sight,
gathering winter fuel.
"Hither, page, and stand by me. If thou know it telling:
"Hither, page, and stand by me. If thou know it telling:
yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence,
underneath the mountain,
right against the forest fence
by Saint Agnes fountain."
"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine. Bring me pine logs hither.
"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine. Bring me pine logs hither.
Thou and I will see him dine
when we bear the thither."
Page and monarch, forth they went,
forth they went together
through the rude wind's wild lament
and the bitter weather.
"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 my good page,
tread thou in them boldly:
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's step he trod, where the snow lay dented.
In his master's step he trod, where the snow lay dented.
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
Bags ready to be given out |
Karen, how's it going? always a grand reminder to dive deeper, yes indeed
ReplyDeletethank you
james
oh Karen, i forgot to mention i gave you a piece of art a while back and will be in New Orleans doing a couple shows and if you know some folks who would like to come out; would love to meet your peeps, the austin shows were great and curious if you'd like to work with the former mayor of austin to start a mentorship program for future texas female leaders?
ReplyDeletei'm at 3source33@gmail.com
yours,
james