Ep 115 (S6E22) Happy Boxing Day! - What is the Feast of Stephen anyway?

References: 

• The 26th of December is Boxing Day! 
  • In the UK and Canada. 
    • Churches would fill alms boxes during Advent, which the clergy would then distribute to the poor on St. Stephen's Day, directly linking charity with this date.
    • It became a day for servants to receive their Christmas gifts (boxes) and time off after working on Christmas Day.
    • Good King Wenceslas Christmas Carole
      • Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.
      • “Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling, Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?” “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain, Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
      • “Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither, You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.” Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together, Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
      • “Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger, Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.” “Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly, You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”
      • In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted; Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing, You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.
  • Wren Day in Ireland. 
  • Each connected to the Feast of Stephen
• Who was St Stephen? 
  • Acts 6 - the first seven Deacons are selected and appointed by the Apostles.
    • Vs 2 - “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve διακονέω (dee-ak-on-eh'-o) tables.
    • Listed by name in vs 5
      • Stephen is the only one of the 7 said to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
      • In vs 8 we are told that Stephen did miracles and signs among the people, which get Stephen in hot water with the Jewish leaders.
      • Stephen ends up on trial because of the false testimony of a couple of lying witnesses
    • By vs 15 Stephen’s fate is sealed and God begins the process of transforming him to glory.
      • ἀτενίζω (at-en-id'-zo) - they fixed their eyes upon him
      • His face was like that of an angel
  • Acts 7 - Stephen’s testimony and stoning
    • From vs 2 to 50 Stephen gives a long recollection of the history of the people of Israel.
    • Vs 51-53 is Stephen’s accusation of the religious leaders.
    • The leaders are enraged and Stephen is given a vision of God’s throne room.
    • We find out at the end of the chapter, as Stephen is being executed by stoning, that the whole affair is overseen by Saul, who became Paul the Apostle
    • As Stephen ἀτενίζω (gazes intently) into heaven, his last words were, vs 60, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
• Why honor St Stephen on December 26?
  • The discovery of his relics in 415 AD
  • St Augustine’s testimonies of miraculous healings