The Feast of St Stephen | Monday 26 December 2022

Today is Monday the 26th of December, the feast of Saint Stephen.

One Hope Project sings, ‘Hark! The Herald Angels sing’. As we step into the season of Christmas, how will you choose to meet with the Lord each day?


Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest Heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John.


1 John 1:1-4

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Christmas is the celebration of new life. Today, just one day after the celebration of a joyful birth, we commemorate the martyrdom of the first saint – Stephen.


Stephen was one of the first deacons of the church and lived his life in imitation of Jesus. We are reminded, by Stephen’s death, who this child is and who he will become. The Nativity can seem remarkably sweet and sentimental, if all we have are the angels and the manger.


In a few days’ time, the Holy Family will flee into exile. Persecution will be a part of the journey of faith for many. How do you respond to the reality of faith? Have you experienced fellowship? Persecution?

‘What was from the beginning’. As you hear the passage again, hear the witness of these first believers. Is this revealed in your life?


How might you speak now to the God of Life about your desires?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.