and kings because of me, so that you may witness to them and the pagans.
But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say, or how you are to say
it; when the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say. For it will not be you who
speak, but the Spirit of your Father, speaking through you.
Brother will hand over his brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against
their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but
whoever stands firm to the end will be saved.
Reflect
After the anticipation of Advent and the great joy of Christmas, today’s feast can come as a
shock. In these early days of our Christmas celebration, we recall Saint Stephen, the first
person martyred for his faith in Christ. Why would the Church juxtapose these feasts? In the
midst of Christmas joy and the nostalgia of our family celebrations, Stephen’s martyrdom is
a stark reminder that faith comes with a cost. Living a life of faith is not all carols and candles
and manger scenes. Being faithful to the Christ born in Bethlehem means following him to
the cross, taking up our own crosses on the way and sacrificing ourselves and our desires in
obedience to God’s will. We may enjoy our Christmas gifts, but Christian life requires the gift
of ourselves.
God willing, we will never be asked to give up our lives for our faith as Stephen did, but we
are asked to lay down our lives in service to our brothers and sisters. We celebrate Christ’s
birth by making him present in our world in love and compassion.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023