St Stephen’s Day – 12262021 – Christmas I
What a strange day – this is. Talk about “switching gears!”
The Day after Christmas. The day after ALL the celebrations…and all the festivities. A Sunday, nonetheless.
We know in some places…
The tree is already down and is sitting at the curb, the presents stored, or at least NOT AS VISIBLE.
The BAGS of wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, and other assorted garbage already in the garbage bin…where they rightfully belong.
And all the Christmas Memorabilia stored away for another year…probably to go up ON or SHORTLY BEFORE the Day of Thanksgiving…NEXT YEAR.
But back at the creche…The cattle are still lowing…the baby still lies in the humble manger bed…with hovering- helicopter-parents. The babe of Bethlehem can still be found wrapped in swaddling clothes. No LUVS or HUGGIES to be found anywhere!
The parents are no doubt thinking about “what they need to be doing next…”
Mary is still pondering the events of the past year…over in her heart…
And Joseph is probably thinking about the registration that is still necessary for the census…and taxation…
Or perhaps he is wondering why no one has evented a pacifier, yet?
I am sure it still pretty chaotic in that creche-nursery. There are a lot of adjustments to be made, FOR SURE.
Liturgically in the life of the church it is the First Sunday Of Christmas, but for those “more liturgically correct,” it would be the Feast Day Of St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr.
The name Stephen is a Greek name, and chapter 6 of Acts of the Apostles tells us that he was a Hellenist (a foreign-born Jew who spoke the Greek language).
Kind of viewed as being an “outsider.”
He lived in Jerusalem and had become a Christian…another kind of “outsider.”
The “Hellenist converts,” who probably formed a MINORITY in the early Christian community, complained that the care of THEIR ELDERLY WIDOWS was neglected by the HEBREW-SPEAKING MAJORITY.
So, there was “A VERY EARLY TENSION” in the early church between the “HEBREW speaking Christians” and the “GREEK speaking Christians.”
It was an “US” against “THEM” kind of thing.
Seeing as the Hebrew Christians were in the majority, they probably figured that they would rule the day!
But the Apostles (on the other hand) presented “the entire matter” to the congregation and, pleading “the press of heavier more important responsibilities,” instructed “the church” to select “seven deacons for this community service.”
Thus, a new order was established in the life of the early church.
The word “DEACON” is derived from the Greek word “diákonos” which, if you haven’t heard of it before is totally my fault, sorry!
“Diakonos” is a standard ancient Greek word meaning “servant”, “waiting-man” (like a waiter or a wait staff member,) “minister”, or perhaps even a “messenger.”
They were “chosen” and “ordained.” Hand- picked, selected, and prayed over…
According to the Acts of the Apostles, (a book believed to have been written by LUKE the Evangelist) Stephen, became the BEST KNOWN of the SEVEN deacons that were chosen in the life of the early church.
He was recognized as a man with “special gifts and talents” as an evangelist…or as a witness…This guy could talk his way out of anything…ALMOST…
HOWEVER, the guy angered members of “various synagogues” by his teachings and his beliefs and all his talk constantly about Jesus.
The Sanhedrin or council of 70 Jewish Elders accused him of blasphemy at his trial, SO, he made a speech denouncing ALL the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment of him and was then taken out of the city and stoned to death.
His martyrdom was witnessed and participated in by a guy named, Saul of Tarsus, also known as Paul, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become THE MOST PROLIFIC OF Christian writers.
In his final breaths, Stephen prayed that ALL those killing him would be forgiven.
So, the day after Christmas, we are confronted with “the stark reality,” that the birth of the one born YESTERDAY, may be the direct cause of the death for others in the future. Being a follower of Jesus “is not a walk in the park,” don’t ever let anyone tell you that it is.
It is hard. It is difficult, at best. Being a Christian is anything but popular…or easy, and it may even get you KILLED.
Today is “Stephen’s Day” may his memory always be a blessing for THE CHURCH.
YOU KNOW: All of us, are called to “SERVE ONE ANOTHER.” ALL OF US, from the youngest to the oldest…serving is what WE ARE TO DO BEST.
It is right up there – with LOVING.
Amen.