Jesus didn't come so we could have a cozy mid-winter party with our families, exchange gifts, and drink cocoa – as much as I love all of that.
Is it odd that the Church selected December 26 as the day to celebrate Stephen, the first person to be martyred for his faith? I mean, really – the day after Christmas?
How that came to be, I couldn’t say. But as I think about it, I must say I think it is a good selection. Why?
Because Jesus didn’t come so we could have a cozy mid-winter party with our families, exchange gifts, and drink cocoa – as much as I love all of that. No. He came to save the world, at the cost of his own life. And this young man Stephen was so full of joy in his new life in Christ that he dared to speak the truth to the religious leaders and it cost him his life, just as it cost Jesus his. (Read his story in Acts chapters 6 and 7). And he went to his death joyfully, knowing the best was yet to come.
Let’s remember, as we are admiring our gifts and putting away the wrapping paper, that Jesus invites us to live fully for him, too. Let’s remember that the baby in the manger became the man on the cross – all out of unconditional love.
So, come! Let us adore him! Christ the Lord!
Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday – to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.
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