2nd Day of Christmas, St. Stephen's Day
Merry Christmas!
As Pastor Ledic suggested yesterday I say not only Merry Christmas, but Merry Christmas, for Jesus Christ is born
for you!
Devotional Reading for: 12/26/2006 St. Stephen, The First Martyr
Associated Scripture Readings:
Acts 7:51-56 Psalm 31:1-5
Thanks for Telling Us What You Saw
Behold, I see . . . the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:56
A Christmas carol tells that King Wenceslas provided dinner for a poor man on a wintry night of St. Stephen’s Day. But on his day, St. Stephen has a gift for us. He tells us something he saw before his death that enhances our celebration of Christmas. St. Stephen was the first Christian to suffer death because of his witness to Jesus as Savior. Before he was stoned to death, he “saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). The observance of St. Stephen’s Day calls us to see Jesus as more than His lowly birth suggests. It shows us who Jesus is and the full revelation of His glory. Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. We are grateful to Stephen. His look into heaven assures us that the Child of Bethlehem is truly God’s Son, who accomplished His mission to save us from our sins. This is certain because the crucified, risen, ascended God-man now participates fully in the glory of God, which He promises to share with all who believe in Him. Jesus Himself prayed, “Father, . . . may [they] be with Me where I am, to see My glory” (John 17:24).
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us the vision of Your glory through the eyes of St. Stephen. Bring us to heaven to share in Your glory. Amen.