Today is the second day of the twelve days of Christmas. Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. Stephen was one of several people appointed as Deacons of the Church by Peter and the apostles. Stephen was an effective proselytizer who drew the ire of the Sanhedrin, before whom Stephen was tried for for blasphemy against Moses and God (See Acts 6 and 7). Boldly declaring not merely his belief in Christ, but citing to a vision that he had of Christ at the right hand of God, the Sanhedrin voted, in 34 A.D., to execute him by stoning. Paul of Taursus, in the days before his own conversion, took part in the stoning. St. Stephen is the patron of stone masons, those with headaches, and horses. The Feast of St. Stephen was historically offered in honor of all Deacons of the Church.
The famous Christmas carol, Good King Wenceslaus, tells how the 10th century Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, on one cold and snowy St. Stephen’s Day, took it upon himself to bring alms to a poor man and his family.
St. Fulgentius, Bishop of Ruspe, wrote a particularly poignant sermon in honor of the Feast of St. Stephen in about the year 500 A.D.:
Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of His soldier. Yesterday our King, clothed in His robe of flesh, left His place in the Virgin’s womb and graciously visited the world. Today His soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.
Our King, despite His exalted majesty, came in humility for our sake; yet He did not come empty-handed. He gave of His bounty, yet without any loss to Himself. In a marvelous way He changed into wealth the poverty of His faithful followers while remaining in full possession of His own inexhaustible riches. And so the love that brought Christ from heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven; shown first in the King, it later shone forth in His soldier. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbor made him pray for those who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him, to save them from punishment.
Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and brings him to his journey’s end.
My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together.
May you have a happy Feast of St. Stephen.
Boxing Day is also celebrated in Britain this day. It originated in medieval times when the priests would empty the alms boxes in all churches on the day after Christmas and distribute the gifts to the poor of the parish. Moreover, the workers, apprentices, and servants stored their savings and donations through out the year in their own personal boxes made of earthen ware. Then, on the day after Christmas, the box was broken and the money counted…
Other Links to this post:
- Bookworm Room » Watcher’s Council submissions to round out 2012
- This is it — the last Watcher’s Council submissions for 2012. Looking back, it’s been a good year for opinionated bloggers, although I wish I could say the same for everyone else. I’m not sure that I’m looking forward to 2013. Nevertheless, the …
- Posted by Bookworm at December 27, 2012 5:43 PM
- Watcher’s Council >>
Related:
Merry Christmas From Ask Marion
Ronald Reagan Christmas Address (video)
Simpler Times – A Groetzmeier Christmas
Remembering the Military and Christmastime
Santa Photos… Often Yesterday’s Oooops Are Tomorrow’s Treasures!
The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness
Christmas for Pet People – Watch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor
Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!
NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…
Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music
Nativity – The Reason for the Season – ‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)
European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit
So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!
Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood
God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve
Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope
The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein
Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion Continues – Churches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica
Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas
What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?
“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods” – Animal Nativity
Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed
The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics
Obama Administration’s War on Religion
BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME
Pingback: The Meaning of Epiphany | askmarion