Feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr of the Church, meditation on the Gospel

They drove him out of the city and began to stone him. Witnesses laid cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he cried out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Acts 7: 58–59

What a shocking contrast! Yesterday our Church celebrated the joyful birth of the Savior of the world. Today we honor the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen. Yesterday, the world was fixed on a humble and precious child lying in a manger. Today we are witnesses of the blood shed by Saint Stephen for professing his faith in this child.

In a way, this holiday adds immediate drama to our Christmas celebration. It is a drama that should never have happened, but it is a drama that has been allowed by God as Saint Stephen gave the greatest testimony of faith to this newborn King.

Perhaps there are many reasons for including the feast of the first Christian martyr in the Church calendar on the second day of the Octave of Christmas. One of these reasons is to immediately remind us of the consequences of giving our life to Him who was born a child in Bethlehem. The consequences? We must give him everything, without holding back anything, even if it means persecution and death.

At first, this may seem like it deprived us of our Christmas joy. It might seem like a drag on this holiday season. But with the eyes of faith, this feast day only adds to the glorious solemnity of this celebration of Christmas.

It reminds us that the birth of Christ requires everything of us. We must be ready and willing to give our life to Him completely and without reserve. The birth of the Savior of the world means that we must prioritize our lives and commit ourselves to choosing him above all else, even above our own lives. It means that we must be ready and willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus, living unselfishly and faithfully to His most holy will.

“Jesus is the reason for the season,” we often hear. This is true. It is the reason for life and the reason for giving our life without reserve.

Reflect, today, on the request that has been imposed on you since the birth of the Savior of the world. From an earthly perspective, this "request" can appear overwhelming. But from the point of view of faith, we recognize that his birth is nothing more than an opportunity for us to enter a new life. We are called to enter a new life of grace and total self-giving. Let yourself be embraced by this celebration of Christmas by observing the ways in which you are called to give yourself more completely. Don't be afraid to give everything to God and others. It is a sacrifice worth giving and made possible by this precious Child.

Lord, as we continue the glorious celebration of your birth, help me understand the effect your coming among us must have on my life. Help me clearly perceive Your invitation to devote myself completely to Your glorious will. May Your birth instill in me the will to be reborn in a life of altruistic and sacrificial giving. May I learn to imitate the love that Saint Stephen had for You and to live that radical love in my life. Boxing Day, pray for me. Jesus I believe in you.