The Church celebrates the feast of St Stephen Protomartyr today. Does celebrating the martyrdom of an innocent man a day after the birth of Jesus conflict with our exultant Christmas spirit? Jesus warned, “...you will be dragged to bear witness for my sake.” - Matt 10:18.

‘Martyr’ derives from the Greek for ‘witness’ and St Stephen was the Church’s first martyr. He bore testimony to the truth of his faith in words and deeds, even unto death. Ordained as a deacon for work of charity, St Stephen was aslo a fervent evangeliser “full of grace and power” who believed that charitable social commitments and courageous proclamation of the faith were inseparable. His faith was not a political or philosophical concept but one so deeply rooted in a tangible relationship with Jesus that it gave him srength for his martyrdom - to witness the truth of Christ Jesus and His Church. His union with Jesus caused him to imitate his Master as the Trinitarian image appeared before him in his last words of total abandonment and forgiveness – “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.. do not hold this sin against them.” – Acts 7: 59-60.

As we celebrate Jesus’s birth into our human world, we too marvel that as an infant He can accomplish wonders in our dying. Not all are called to be martyrs but no one is excluded from the call to holiness, St Stephen’s life is instructive to us in this regard.