Good King Wenceslas did something today - I can't remember the words of the carol though.
The 26 December is the feast of St. Stephen, martyr. As I mentioned in an earlier post, never be surprised by violence and tumult during the time we commemorate the birth of the Prince of Peace, that is, at Christmas.
Steven is the protomartyr for Christ, a deacon in the early Church, Saul (St. Paul) was there to witness the stoning. Everyone knows the story. I believe his feast is celebrated to demonstrate what it means to be a disciple of Jesus so that we who celebrate Our Lord's Nativity may not lose sight of the cross. While the witness of Stephen may encourage those who are suffering amidst the celebration of Christmas.
The radiant countenance of Stephen's face as he was being stoned, seeing Our Lord in glory as he did, mirrors our own joy of seeing the Divine Infant Jesus in the extreme poverty of Bethlehem. After all, it couldn't have been very pleasant laying in a manger, in a cold, dirty cave, amidst the animals and the odors associated with them. Yet heaven and earth rejoiced that day, and Love was made visible to all.
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