December 26, 2019
Saint Stephen, Martyr wey Come First—Feast
Second Day for the Octave of Christmas
Readings for Today
Dem throw am comot for the city, and dem begin stone am. The witnesses put their cloaks down for the feet of one young man wey im name na Saul. As dem dey stone Stephen, e cry out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Acts 7:58-59
See how these two things different reach! Yesterday, our Church celebrate with joy the birth of the Savior of the world. Today, we dey honor the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen. Yesterday, the whole world put eye for one humble and precious small pikin wey lie down inside manger. Today, we stand as witnesses to the blood wey St. Stephen shed because e profess im faith in this small pikin.
For one way, this feast day bring one serious and touching event enter our Christmas celebration straightaway. Na event wey no suppose happen at all, but God allow am as St. Stephen give the greatest witness of faith to this King wey dem just born.
Maybe plenty reasons dey why the Church put the feast of the first Christian Martyr for her calendar on the second day of the Octave of Christmas. One of those reasons na to remind us straightaway of wetin go follow if we give our lives to the One wey dem born as small pikin for Bethlehem. Wetin go follow? We must give Am everything, without keeping anything back, even if e mean say we go suffer persecution and die.
At first, this fit look like wetin dey take our Christmas joy comot. E fit look like wetin dey reduce the joy of this season of celebration. But if we look am with the eyes of faith, this feast day only dey add to the glory and holy dignity of this Christmas celebration.
E dey remind us say the birth of Christ dey ask everything from us. We must dey ready and willing to give our lives to Am completely, without keeping anything back. The birth of the Savior of the world mean say we must arrange wetin matter pass for our lives afresh, and make firm commitment to choose Am above every other thing, even above our own lives. E mean say we must dey ready and willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus, as we dey live without putting ourselves first and dey faithfully follow His most holy will.
We dey often hear say, “Na because of Jesus this season dey.” Na true. Na because of Am life dey, and na because of Am we suppose give our lives without keeping anything back.
Today, think deep about wetin the birth of the Savior of the world dey require from you. If you look am with the understanding of this world, this “demand” fit look like wetin too much for you to carry. But if we look am with faith, we go recognize say His birth na simply opportunity for us to enter new life. God dey call us to enter new life of grace and to give ourselves completely. Open your heart to this Christmas celebration as you dey look at the ways wey God dey call you to give yourself more completely. No fear to give everything to God and other people. Na sacrifice wey worth am, and na this precious Pikin make am possible.
Lord, as we continue this glorious celebration of Your birth, help me understand the effect wey Your coming among us must get for my life. Help me see clearly how You dey invite me to give myself completely to Your glorious will. Make Your birth put willingness inside me to born anew into life wey I no go dey put myself first, but go dey give with sacrifice. Make I learn to imitate the love wey St. Stephen get for You, and make I live out that love wey hold nothing back for my life. St. Stephen, pray for me. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
More Reflections for Christmas:
To Surrender Yourself Completely
One Humble Servant of the Lord
To Dey Faithful for Everything
Suffering Wey Dem Bear Together
The Things Wey One Mama Dey Think Deep About
