The Feast of St Stephen | Tuesday 26 December 2023

Today is Tuesday the 26th of December, the feast of St Stephen.

The Cape Town Camerata sings, Ndikhokhele Bawo:
Lead me oh Father, lead me
Lead me my saviour in all the sorrows of this world.

Ndikhokhele Bawo, zundi kokhele
Ndikhokhele mmeli wami
Ezintsizini, Zalomhlaba Bawo
(Bawo, bawo, bawo)
Bawo ndiyabonga
Ngoba wena usandigcinile
Thaluthele thuze kwami
(Bawo, bawo, bawo)
Bawo ndiyabonga
Ngoba wena usandigcinile
Mmeli wami bawo uthaluthele thuze kwami
Bawo ndiyabonga
Ngoba wena usandigcinile
Lead me oh Father, lead me
Lead me my savior
in all the sorrows of this world, Father
Father I thank you
For you still protect me
You calm all my fears
Father, Father, Father
Father I thank you
For you still protect me
Father, Savior, you calm my fears
Father I thank you
For you still protect me

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 6: 8-10, 7: 54-59

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’


Yesterday we heard about a birth and today about the first death for the sake of Jesus. The incarnate Son of God is present in our lives from the moment of our birth to when we take our last breath. There is never a moment when he is not ‘God-with-us’. How does it feel to know this in your own life?

Stephen’s death becomes a transformative event in Paul’s faith journey. Have there been people in history or in your personal life who have helped to build your faith? Take some time to think of your own faith journey and those to whom you were grateful along the way.

As we hear once more the story of Stephen’s martyrdom, allow this scene to touch you, letting whatever strikes you to speak to you and lead you into prayer.

This is a shocking scene, yet also a shining witness to faith and hope in the face of death. What do you find yourself wanting to say to God about it?

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.