Good King Wenceslas
I love a good Christmas Carol. The opportunity to sing words of truth about the real meaning of the season fills me with great joy and hope for the future. A few years ago, I had wondered who this 'Good King Wenceslas' was that I was singing about. Was he just a nice guy who fed a poor man and sent him on his way with logs for his fire? With a little research, I came upon a hymn that presented the story behind this Swedish Carol that was written in 1854. The song is written directly from a poem that an Anglican Minister John Mason Neale wrote about Wenceslas. Wenceslas was born in Bohemia in the early 900's and at the age of 18 seized the reins of Government in his father's passing. He was a different ruler, one that showed heartfelt concern for his people, reform in the judicial systems and encouraged the building of churches. It is reported that he would often be found with those who needed him most, those who were vulnerable and had many urgent needs for survival.
As we walk the shops and see Christmas decorations everywhere, it can be easy to focus on our needs and wants for this upcoming season, however this is not the case for many people. Just this past weekend, my family and I helped out at a local Community Centre. We packed food hampers, cleaned the communal areas and saw many children requiring clothing. It opened my eyes to how fortunate my family are and how this is not the case for all children. For someone who commits their life to child advocacy, my heart breaks at the thought that the simple need of food and clothing is not being met. I share this with you to say that there is a great need here in Adelaide for people who are doing it tough particularly due to COVID-19 and family trauma. We can help!
This year at Curiosity we would like to partner with you to support a local charity, Backpacks 4 Kids. This non for profit organisation was birthed in 2012 out of a moment of empathy where two young families heard of some children who had to flee their home with no possessions to call their own and the ability to meet their daily needs. From their carport, Backpacks for Kids came to be and now assists approximately 5,000 vulnerable children and young people each year.
How can you help?
Over the next 4 weeks, we would love for you to take your child/ren to purchase some of the items on this list for us to then create backpacks to donate. We will then present these backpacks at our Twilight Concert in Week 9.
For further information on this local organisation, feel free to follow the link provided.
Thank you for joining with us as we send these backpacks to children who are doing it tough and need a little joy to come their way.
Bless you,
Jacqui