And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Saul was consenting to his death.
And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Acts 7:59–8:3 (RSV)
Strange, the Christmas celebrations have hardly stopped and we are observing the death of the first Christian Martyr, St. Stephen. Stephen is the first to die for his witness to our Lord. The contrast could not be greater. Angelic and shepherd praises surround the birth of Jesus, while shouts of rage and murderous violence accompany the stoning of St. Stephen.
It is jarring to move so quickly from the blessed events surrounding Bethlehem to the ugly happenings in Jerusalem some thirty-three years later. We may wish it wasn't so, but the two are tied tightly together. The quiet, humble birth of Jesus all too soon turns to confront the hatred to world has toward the Father. If the world cannot harm the Father, it will strike out at the Son. It will strike out at those who will follow Jesus.
St. Simeon, who blessed God for allowing him to seek the Lord's salvation when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple, warned Mary that a sword would pierce her soul as Jesus fulfilled His purpose. We too easily forget at Christmas time of the anger and hate the world will inflict on Jesus. Satan himself is biding his time until he can strike against Jesus. When the evil one fails in his attack on Jesus, he turns on those who will follow the Lord.
St. Stephen's Day reminds us that the birth of Jesus, as joyous as it is, is the first step of His journey to the Cross outside the walls of Jerusalem. St. Stephen's death is a reminder that that those who follow the Risen Lord may well die for Him.
It is also our reminder of the true joy that comes for those who give their lives to Him and for Him.