Penquins, Giving and Blessings

Christmas is the most human and

kindly of seasons, as fully penetrated

and irradiated with the feeling of human

brotherhood, which is the essential spirit

of Christianity, as the month of June with

sunshine and the balmy breath of roses.

--- George William Curtis

Another darling Christmas card from the National Wildlife Federation. Who doesn't love penguins!? On the back of the card: "Most people associate penguins with Antarctica, but only two out of the 17 species of penguins live there --- the Emperor and the Adelie penguin. Unfortunately, climate change may be affecting these iconic species. Krill --- the primary food source of many penguins --- is on the decline due to lack of sea ice. You can help change the forecast for penguins and other wildlife by visiting NWF's Adoption Center. Visit www.nwf.org/adoption and adopt your favorite animal today!" What a great gift idea!

An old Christmas label!

Another favorite song of mine is Good King Wenceslas.

The melody to this carol was written in the 16th century. The lyrics, based on a Bohemian legend about Saint Wenceslas, were later added by John M. Neale in the mid-1800s to celebrate the feast of Saint Stephen (the first Christian martyr) on December 26.

Good King Wenceslas
Good King Wenceslas look'd 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.

~~~~~
"Hither, page, and stand by me,

If thou know'st 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 pinelogs hither;

Thou and I will see him dine,

When we bear them 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 now 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 bloodless coldly."

~~~~~
In his master's steps 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A QUITE-A-FEW-BLESSINGS DAY!