Why a martyr's feast the day after the celebration of the Christ Child's birth? The answer is as profound as it is simple. During the last few days of Advent this blogger was address to issue of journey's and what they might cost anyone.
Stephen was a man who followed the "new religion" proposed by Jesus and the Apostles in their preaching. Just as a journey requires a definite commitment on the part of a traveler, so too the follower of Jesus is expected to make a definite commitment to Jesus.
Stephen is an excellent example of someone who was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his commitment. He accepted the call of the Lord Jesus in his life as is described in the Acts of the Apostles, chapters 6 and 7. It is worth the read.
A Jewish man by birth, Stephen became a convert. His death occurred in 35 AD. He was stoned to death, as an artist's rendition shows. It was an irony of the early Church that Stephen was appointed the patron saint of all stonemasons!!! Surely someone had a wry sense of humor.
