26 December
St Stephen and the Meaning of Christmas Lived
The Church invites us, on the day after Christmas, to pause and reflect more deeply on what the birth of Christ asks of us. While the joy of Christmas remains, the focus gently shifts from celebration to meaning — from the manger to the way Christ’s love is lived out in the world.
The Feast of St Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, reminds us that the gift of Christ is not sentimental or fleeting. Love born at Bethlehem calls us outward — towards faith lived with courage, compassion offered without reserve, and service given quietly and faithfully. In the light of Christmas, we are invited to consider how generosity, mercy, and justice take root in ordinary lives.
For many, Boxing Day is a time of rest, family, and recovery from the intensity of Christmas itself. The Church recognises this human rhythm and offers space — not to rush ahead, but to let the mystery we have celebrated settle into our hearts. The crib remains, the tree still stands, and the church continues to hold open its doors as a place of prayer, stillness, and welcome.
St Stephen’s place in the calendar is deliberate. He is remembered immediately after Christmas Day to remind us that the Incarnation has consequences. The child born in humility leads his followers into lives shaped by truth, courage, and love that does not count the cost. Stephen is the first to witness to that love with his life, showing that faith received becomes faith lived.
This same insight lies behind the much-loved carol Good King Wenceslas, which opens not on Christmas Day itself, but “on the Feast of Stephen.” The hymn is often thought of as a winter or Christmas song, yet its heart lies firmly in St Stephen’s teaching. The king’s response to the poor man in the cold is not admiration or good intention, but action — warmth shared, food given, and the road walked together. It is Christmas expressed not in words, but in mercy.
By placing St Stephen and this story so close to Christmas, the Church gently teaches that celebration and charity belong together. What we rejoice in at the crib must be carried into the world through kindness, service, and love for those most in need.
As the Christmas season continues, may the peace we have received shape the days ahead — strengthening faith, deepening compassion, and guiding us to live what we have celebrated.
St Stephen, First Martyr Italian Renaissance panel painting (15th century) — public domain
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” speaks of trust, endurance, and God’s unfailing presence — themes that resonate deeply on St Stephen’s Day. Coming immediately after Christmas, this feast reminds us that the joy we celebrate is lived out through steadfast faith and quiet perseverance. This hymn is offered as a moment of reflection, inviting us to rest in God’s faithfulness as we continue the Christmas season.