Thursday, December 26, 2024
Second Day of Christmas
Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Stephen’s sacrifice
On the SECOND day of Christmas my true love gave to me …
Or, in our most recent universe, this is the day AFTER Christmas. Will this festival continue or is it back already to the old grind?
Which it is for me depends on my songs, my prayers, my thoughts … am I beginning our end-of-year accounting or settling in for a long winter’s nap? The first is urgent, but the second is important. The first is dictated by chronos time, the second by Kairos time.
I would rather have two turtle doves on the second day of Christmas than balanced books any day, especially on the day after Christmas. Can I make a plan to get the work done as well as keep singing the song?
Stephen, full of grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Unlike the first martyr Stephen, my head turns often toward football and basketball games, toward holiday specials. Sometimes I feel swallowed up by the possibilities … actually most of the time, when I think about it. And we do of course have family gatherings during Christmas, which do not lend themselves to moments of stillness and listening with God.
Those who debated with Stephen could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke, and they were infuriated.
Since there are 168 hours in each week, I have plenty of time for what matters – what is urgent of course, but even more so, what is important. However, it’s been awhile since I checked my activities against that merciless measure on the clock. I am kind of afraid to, actually. I don’t much want to face my own tendency toward entertainment.
Stephen did not stop debating, nor did he stop praying, in fact he doubled down against those who were angry with him. What else could he do? The Holy Spirit was strong in this one.
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Not only did he see this, but he said so. Told those members of the Synagogue of Freedmen what he saw.
And they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
Stephen was stoned and killed. The young man Saul kept their cloaks while the Freedmen did their killing. A few days later Saul, confronted by Jesus in a vision as he traveled, became a Christ-follower himself, later to be known by his Greek name, Paul. Paul’s remorse about how he behaved during Stephen’s stoning followed him for the rest of his life. But he never stopped preaching, and the very name “Christian” was first used in the city of Antioch while Paul preached there.
Be prepared to be light in a thick night,
a small candle in a strong wind.
Be prepared to be kind and generous in a selfish, fearful world.
Be prepared to hope in the face of cynicism and despair.
Entrust yourself to grace in a world of greed.
Don’t be surprised if even on the darkest night
a new, holy light shines. – Steve Garnaas-Holmes
This is the second day of Christmas. I am grateful to be watching for the new, holy light on this day just as on Christmas Eve. Our family parties are going strong, and there are a few hours of concentrated accounting left to do. No problem, Lord. Thank you for your whispering, gentle presence that fills all of us, if only we stop to receive you.
Whoever endures to the end will be saved.
(Acts 6, Psalm 31, Psalm 118, Matthew 10)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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