Green Dragon Tavern
A place to sit down with a couple of pints of ale and wax subversive.
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The Feast of Stephen….
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The Feast of Stephen….
Happy Feast of Stephen; a holiday celebrated by the Church (a good deal of them anyway, Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox, although our Orthodox brethren celebrate it on December 27). It is considered the 2nd day of Christmas for those keeping the 12 days (“Partridge in a Pear Tree”) observances. It was instituted in remembrance of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr from the book of Acts in the New Testament, chapters 6 & 7. Sainthood was conferred some time after the incident of his being stoned to death, but if you read the account, giving him the title wasn’t a real big leap. I mean as they were killing him by throwing rocks at him until he died (not a particularly nice way to go) Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Wow, pretty incredible. If it had been me, the Scriptures wouldn’t have been so inspiring; they would have said something to the effect of, “Then as the stones battered his body, Dana lifted up his face toward heaven and said, “Ouch! Ooh! Ouch! Oh! Umph! Ouch…!” C’mon, I’ve got to laugh a little, to keep myself from going crazy. I was present at family gatherings, and ate holiday food and all yesterday, but I wasn’t really there. It’s been a week today since Trish’s passing, and Christmas for me just wasn’t all that cheery and bright. Plus the weather was gloomy, rainy and chilly, which did little to enhance my mood. But I digress…. The old Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas” references the Feast of Stephen, as it chronicles the benevolent king of Bohemia (think Czech Republic) who upon that day, saw a poor man scavenging firewood, and immediately trudges out through the cold and the snow with his young page to bring this unfortunate fellow some food, wine and more firewood. Said cold and snow prove to be too overwhelming for the page boy, and he was in danger of succumbing to it. Wenceslas orders the boy to follow him, stepping directly in his footsteps. Upon so doing, the page found that the footsteps of the king provided warmth enough to sustain him for the remainder of the journey. The song ends with a good moral, “He who now will bless the poor, shall himself find blessing.” Not a bad thought upon which to end the year, is it? For historical accuracy, Wenceslas (also spelled Wenceslaus) was, in all likelihood, never a real king. He was, however, the real Duke of Bohemia, who lived in the early 900’s AD. Sainthood was also conferred upon Wenceslas at a later time, as the life saving and supernatural warmth of his footsteps in the snow on a freezing night was recognized as a bonefied miracle. As I just wasn’t in the December 25th Christmas spirit proper, yesterday, I somehow find the Feast of Stephen a bit more palatable and less painful, and, Good Old King Wenceslas preferable to Santa. I apologize for not joining in the Christmas discussion yesterday, but I most sincerely do hope everyone’s holiday was joyful and blessed. And, if you keep the 12 days of Christmas, and I don’t think that a bad tradition, I pray they are equally as blessed. I like the 12 days observance, as the manic frenzy of what Christmas has become is over at the close of the first day, and now there’s 11 more peaceful days to reflect on the real meaning of the holidays without 21st century bastardization. On a personal note, perhaps focusing on the needs of others is one of the keys for me to overcome or at least mitigate tragic loss. I don’t know, the jury’s still out on that; but it does, at least, seem a more productive route to peace than drinking oneself into a coma every day.
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12 Replies
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Peace and love to you forward ! 🙏
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Thank you for sharing,I learn something new from you every day
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I would not wish the loss of a loved one so dear, and such a visceral part of your life that you are torn by their passing and do want to drink yourself into a coma.
But having lived for too many years with someone who did me and my children great harm and not having a true partner and love of my life, I would choose and have been blessed with the first way. I am so close to my beloved Tim that the thought of separation is incomprehensible.
When Jesus sweated blood in the garden, it wasn’t over the sins of the World. It was anticipation of His separation from the Father. Incomprehensible and more vital than breath itself.
Some of us get to model that mystery, referred to in Ephesians, but it contains the cost of letting it go for a time if our bodies don’t keep pace. If no one ever sees that life of love, consideration, respect and adoration, and the deep pain of losing it that proves it was such a wonder, we don’t fulfill the wishes of our Master. All the facets of how God loves us are shining in every type of relationship we consecrate and dedicate ourselves to develop.
Thank you for checking in. We continue in prayers for you and your family.-
I wasn’t really saying I was going to drink myself into a coma, but I confess that in the dark watches of the night, i won’t lie, it has been a temptation just to ease the pain. Of course I recognize that would only serve to make me a candidate for a liver transplant, then like Tom Waits, I could sing, “I’ve got a bad liver and a broken heart.” A focus other than escape is warranted.
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We have to be human as much as it is just inconvenient, stupid and hard most of the time.
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Hey Dana – I thought of you yesterday and I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments and enjoyed your post. It’s funny, we are also celebrating Christmas in a different manner… actually akin to what you are describing…. over several days, doing/thinking of others, getting back to basics, in effect a new paradigm for we three… I appreciate your taking the time to write such a beautiful, engaging, and informative post. Much love to you.
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Go out and make those beautiful knives,or something you have a rare talent,one that is quickly disappearing hang in there ,yes this weather is not great I have been hurting all day . Continue to pray for you and your family peace be with you.
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Prayers for peace, Dana. I am glad you are finding some solace in your faith. That is what has comforted me when I lost my mom. Great grief, profound grief has no cure but time. This is the first Christmas without her and I found myself choked up several times and crying. It’s hard and terrible and the ache palpable. Hug your loved ones close. Cherish the time you’re given with them. Let them comfort you. Peace and love to you 🙏❤️
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Yes, Christmas was a killer.
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I totally understand. Thinking of you and your family. ❤️
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Dana, I am so sorry to hear of Trish’s passing. I’ve been offline for a while. You are in my prayers.
Tom
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Heartbreaking 💔… Prayers for peace for you and your family…😢🙏🏻
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