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Christmas, St. Stephen, & the Power of Meekness | Catholic Homily on the First Martyr (26 December)

4,522 views · Published 26 December 2016 · 11:33 · Indexed 22 October 2026

Channel: Sensus Fidelium · 2016 · Education

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Why does the Church commemorate the martyrdom of St. Stephen immediately after Christmas Day?
At first glance, the contrast seems shocking—peaceful Bethlehem followed by brutal martyrdom. Yet this homily reveals the profound unity between Christ in the manger and St. Stephen at his death.

In this sermon, we explore how Christ’s humility, meekness, and love—revealed at His birth—become the very weapons by which the early Church conquers the world. St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, imitates Christ perfectly: serving humbly, preaching boldly, forgiving completely, and loving even unto death.

This homily also reflects deeply on Saul of Tarsus, whose conversion may have been won through the prayers and charity of St. Stephen. What appeared to be failure became one of the most fruitful victories in Church history.

This meditation challenges us today:

Do we underestimate the power of meekness?

Do our hidden sacrifices bear eternal fruit?

Are we willing to suffer for even one soul?

✨ The same formula that worked for Christ and St. Stephen—meekness and love—will work for us.

00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:06 – Christmas as a New Beginning
00:17 – The Feast of St. Stephen and the Infant Church
00:38 – Bethlehem vs. Martyrdom: An Apparent Contradiction
01:12 – The Purpose of Christ’s Coming
01:30 – Humility and Poverty of the Manger
02:30 – “Learn of Me”: Christ’s Example
02:49 – The Presentation in the Temple
03:21 – Who Was St. Stephen?
03:57 – Stephen’s Witness in the Acts of the Apostles
04:42 – Stephen’s Vision of Heaven
05:13 – The First Christian Martyrdom
05:57 – Stephen’s Meekness and Service
06:35 – Saul of Tarsus Enters the Story
07:00 – “Lord, Lay Not This Sin to Their Charge”
07:28 – The Conversion of Saul
07:46 – Love as Stephen’s Strength (St. Fulgentius)
08:31 – Newman on the Importance of Stephen’s Witness
09:25 – Apparent Failure vs. Eternal Victory
09:52 – Meekness and Love Conquer Saul
10:28 – Our Responsibilities and Eternal Impact
10:52 – Is Any Sacrifice Too Great for One Soul?
11:03 – The Formula of Christ and St. Stephen
11:18 – Closing Exhortation and Prayer

For more please visit http://www.traditionalsermons.com/ & please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/Stephen%20Litany.html
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