It is 26th December 2016. We celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr. The readings are from Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; and the Gospel from Matthew 10:17-22. Christmas is all about bearing witness to the Light through our personal witnessing like St. Stephen. The first reading elaborately explains about St. Stephen as a man of strong faith and that helped him preach the crucified and risen Christ. His preaching attracted many people including the ones who found it hard to accept the message of Christ. They killed him by stoning him to death. Saul was the witness who approved the death of St. Stephen. The responsorial Psalm prays, “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” (Ps.31:16). The Gospel brings out the hardships of the disciples of Jesus. When we openly declare our faith in Jesus, there is always possible persecution from the family of our origin as well as from the society at large. It is standing for Jesus till the end makes the difference. In these modern days, the festivity conveniently leaves Jesus out. We the believers need to make the birth of Christ relevant by our own Christian living and upholding the morals and values taught by Jesus. Right from the start of the Christmas tide, we are given the importance to believe in the Lord Jesus even amidst sufferings and point of death. May you have a good day.