Acts 6:8- 10; 7:54-59
Ps 31:3bc-4.6
Matthew 10:17-22 Full Readings
The Demands of a Newborn King
Brethren, Stephen whose feast we celebrate today, a deacon of the early Church, was ready to bear witness to his faith in the Lord. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he proclaimed the resurrection of Christ and called his people to conversion and faith. The forgiveness that he offered to those who killed him reflects the forgiveness offered by Jesus himself to those who crucified him. The feast of Saint Stephen, known as the proto martyr, the first witness/martyr, reminds us of the high price we pay as we place our faith in the newborn King.
Brethren, the feast of today looks like a shock; yesterday we celebrated the joyous birth of the Savior of the world and today, we honor the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen. Yesterday, the world was fixated on a humble and precious infant lying in a manger. Today, we stand by as witnesses to the blood that was shed by St. Stephen for professing his faith in this little child. This feast day adds some immediate drama to our Christmas celebration. It’s a drama that should never have happened, but it’s a drama that was permitted by God as St. Stephen bore the greatest witness of faith to this newborn King.
Perhaps there are many reasons to include the feast of the first Christian Martyr in the Church’s calendar on the second day of the Octave of Christmas. One such reason is to immediately remind us of the consequences of giving our lives to Him who was born an infant in Bethlehem, to remind us of the demands of the newborn king. These demands are that we must give Him everything, holding nothing back, even if it means persecution and death.
It reminds us that the birth of Christ requires everything from us. We must be ready and willing to give our lives to Him completely and without reserve. The birth of the Savior of the world means we must reprioritize our lives and commit to choosing Him above all else, even above our own lives. It means we must be ready and willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus, living selflessly and faithfully to His most holy will.
The good news is that Jesus as we see in the Gospel promises us the Holy Spirit as we give our lives to him. The Holy Spirit will guide us even in the face of persecution and tribulation. Persecution will surely come for all of us who follow Christ, even our own people, brothers, sisters, parents and friends will hand us over to the courts for following the Newborn King, but with the Holy Spirit we shall surely overcome and if we stand up to the end, we shall be saved.
Reflect, today, upon the demand imposed upon you by the birth of the Savior of the world. From an earthly perspective, this “demand” can appear overwhelming. But from the perspective of faith, we recognize that His birth is nothing more than an opportunity for us to enter into new life. We are called to enter into a new life of grace and total self-giving. Let yourself embrace this Christmas celebration by looking at ways you are being called to give of yourself more completely. Do not be afraid to give everything to God and others. It’s a sacrifice worth giving and is made possible by this precious Child. May St Stephen continue to pray for us so that we become true witnesses and meet the demands of the Newborn King.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, may I come to fully understand and embrace the demands and consequences of your birth for I know it is through these demands that I will attain my salvation. May you continue to be born in my heart every day, my king and saviour. Amen.
Be blessed and Merry Christmas.
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