“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, tho’ the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel…”
Leaving aside the controversy over whether “Good King Wenceslas” should be considered a Christmas carol, there is no doubt that, in the Latin Church, the traditional Feast of St. Stephen (considered the first martyr of the early Church) is celebrated on the Second Day of Christmas, December 26.
I photographed our sweet little female Cardinal in fresh-fallen snow, not too many days away from December 26, so the Christmas carol came to mind.
For the record, I kind of like the song Good King Wenceslas and have sung it countless times, quite innocent of any controversy, so I’m hoping you won’t mind me quoting it on December 26.
Happy Boxing Day, too. Hope you like my little Cardinal.