12-26-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 26, 2024
Today marks the Feast Day of St. Stephen, remembered as the first deacon of the church and the first martyr. As a deacon, he served those who were poor, including the widows and the orphans. In various cultures, today is celebrated as Boxing Day, a day dedicated to honoring Stephen’s remarkable acts of compassion. The tradition of Boxing Day involves families packing up some of their Christmas presents, food, and other items to distribute to the needy. Within the United States, today serves as the most significant day for exchanging gifts that were either unwelcome or ill-fitting. As we go through this day, let us be mindful of those who didn’t have a gift to exchange. For those most vulnerable, let us allow the abundance of Christmas to spill into their lives. As Galatians 2:10 reminds us, “They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.”

O God of abundant love, create within this day the opportunity to serve as Stephen did. Amen.