The Feast of St. Stephen
December 27th, 2022
Written By Blake Plympton
Today we celebrate the Fest of St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr. Could you imagine having a feast day to celebrate your life right after the celebration of the birth of Jesus? Talk about poor timing! And in some ways, it might be the most fitting day to observe it.
To understand this feast day, you must understand the role that Stephen played in the New Testament. His story is noticeably short but extremely important. It all starts in the book of Acts. After the day of Pentecost, the spirit was moving greatly among the people of God. Signs and wonders were being performed daily among the body of believers and hordes of people came to know Jesus as Christ. These people were baptized and welcomed into the family of faith as they pursued God. Even though all these amazing things were being done, the Apostles soon became overwhelmed. It came to the attention of them that many were being neglected. Therefore, the “twelve” summoned the disciples to say they could not do everything and asked the people to appoint those who would “...serve tables.” (Acts 6:2) It was here that Stephen was appointed and where we get the first deacons.
We learn that Stephen was appointed not only meeting the requirements that the apostles gave the people but that he clearly displayed that he was full of grace and power. These were on display as he was doing his work through the signs and wonders that were around him. (Act 6:8). There were several groups of people who had a problem with Stephen. They spoke poorly against him, claiming a false witness against him, and stirred up people, elders, and scribes saying that he was speaking “... blasphemous words against Moses and God.” (Acts 6:9-11). From here he was arrested and put in front of the high priest where he gives one of the best recorded presentations of the gospel in the New Testament. (If you have not read Acts 7 or have not read it in a long time, please stop to do so now.)
It was after this presentation of the gospel that Stephen was then stoned to death becoming the first Martyr of the faith. His witness was so strong and so disruptive that people had to get him in front of a Jewish court of law to be put to death about blasphemy. Then, in the face of adversity, trial, and mockery, Stephen did not waver in his faith- even to the point of death.
At the beginning of this, I thought of how fitting it was to have Stephen’s feast day immediately after Christmas. Jesus – our savior, king, creator- was born to die on a cross at the propitiation for our sins. Stephen, after being appointed as one of the first deacons, is killed for his faith. St. Fulgentius of Ruspe said it much better than I could: “Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of His soldier. Yesterday our King, clothed in His robe of flesh, left His place in the Virgin's womb, and graciously visited the world. Today His soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.”
As we go on with our day, may we then be encouraged and challenged by the life of Stephen. May we press on fearlessly proclaiming the truth of the gospel despite the consequences that might come. May we wholeheartedly surrender our lives in the service of the King that he might do wonderful things through us.
Full Quote from St. Fulgentius (Source)
Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of His soldier. Yesterday our King, clothed in His robe of flesh, left His place in the Virgin's womb and graciously visited the world. Today His soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.
Our King, despite His exalted majesty, came in humility for our sake; yet He did not come empty-handed. He gave of His bounty, yet without any loss to Himself. In a marvelous way He changed into wealth the poverty of His faithful followers while remaining in full possession of His own inexhaustible riches. And so the love that brought Christ from heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven; shown first in the King, it later shone forth in His soldier. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbor made him pray for those who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him, to save them from punishment.
Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and brings him to his journey's end.
My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together.
Questions for Reflection
1. What do you find most compelling about the life of Stephen in Acts 6-7?
2. What does it look like for your to faithfully proclaim the truth of the gospel where you are at today?
3. As you think about sharing the gospel to friends or coworkers, what fears arise in you?
4. How would you summarize the gospel and present it to those who have never heard it or might need to hear it again?
5. Is God calling you to serve tables? Where are those tables found? What kinds of people (young, disables, elderly, etc.) has God put on your heart to care for?
Collect (BCP 2019, P.624)
O Glorious Lord, your servant Stephen looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors: Grant that in all our sufferings here upon earth we may love and forgive our enemies, looking steadfastly to Jesus Christ our Lord, who sits at your right hand and intercedes for us; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Resources
1. fisheaters.com/customschristmas3.html
2. http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/21.html
4. https://stboniface-lunenburg.org/feast-day-of-saint-stephen-the-first-martyr