There is a Christmas Carol I have heard since I was a child and never under stood. This song actually has more to do with the Feast of Stephen than with the nativity of Christ
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
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath’ring winter fuel
The Feast of Stephen and the Second Day of Christmas are both on the 26th of December. Let’s start with who St. Stephen was:
Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Stephen was chosen to be responsible for widows, orphans and those in need; his day represents the same principle. People on the Feast of Stephen would take extra care to provide for those in need. Wenceslas, a real person actually was a Duke and was known for caring for people. He died at the hand of his brother partially due to Wenceslas willingness to give away his money to those in need. He was declared a King after his death in honor of his Christian heart for others.
Journaling Exercise
Identify others who have needs where you might be able to help. This does not have to be monetary help. You could aid an elderly person by visiting them regularly or you could give a single mother a “night-out” by babysitting her kid.
Make your list and then decide on one activity and make a plan to act. Come back to this page after you help the other person and describe how it went.
Fourth Day Adventures 