TODAY'S WORD

 “A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5).

TODAY'S REFLECTION

Both the readings focus on St. Stephen the proto-martyr. 

Christmas essentially means becoming a true disciple of Christ...

And a true disciple ought to tread the way of the cross - "If any want to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" (Lk 9: 23)

Christ the Master, Himself walked this path of trials and difficulties.

The signs of suffering and pain were foreshadowed very much already in the Crib of Christ...The manger where the babe was laid, foreshadowed the Cross on which He was to be laid.

The swaddling clothes of the babe, foreshadowed the shroud which will cover Him in His tomb.

The lack of room in the inn, foreshadowed the lack of room for Him to be buried after His death.

Christmas is the celebration of Life that was pledged to be given up in death, in order to win back life - life in its fullness!

Christmas becomes a true reality when Jesus is born in our hearts...

When Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts, that heart cannot remain without effect.

There is a contagious enthusiasm.

There is a great transformation.

There is a tremendous zeal.

And this birth of Jesus took place in the heart of St Stephen.

He underwent a Real Christmas.

He experienced the joy of having Christ born in His life.

And this fact that Christ was born within, led Him to be a dynamic and bold soldier of His King!

Nothing could stop Him from being a witness...

The experience of Christmas in His life had made St Stephen…to be a bold soldier.

… to stand firm for the truth.

… to bear the pain of stoning

… to shed His blood for His Lord

The only thing God requires of us therefore is proper disposition. 

St Stephen had possessed this disposition. See how he was described upon his election as a deacon, “A man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). 

If you allow God to possess you, you will bear true witness to God and then it wont matter again what happens to you because alive or dead, you belong to God. Do not be afraid to stand for God for he does not fail.


QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Have we also experienced Christmas in a way that transforms and makes us authentic disciples?

Have we also celebrated Christmas which makes us to pledge every breath and cell of our life to the Lord?

Have we also enjoyed Christmas in order to find immense power and strength in being a true and authentic Christian?

Are we ready to discover still further, the true and genuine meaning of Christmas in our life?

Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords gave a wonderful standing ovation seeing the spectacular display of faith and courage of His Beloved soldier, St Stephen.


RESOLUTION

Let us also be filled with deep passion and courage that comes from the New Born King and be His Dynamic and Enthusiastic Soldier for His Kingdom!


TODAY'S SAINT

SAINT STEPHEN, The First Martyr

Stephen, 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 new born King.

The blood of St Stephen sings the beautiful carols of Jesus who was born in his life!

Happy Feast of St Stephen, _the First Martyr of the New Born King of kings!_