The day after Christmas feels a little tender to me.
The candles that glowed so beautifully have burned to sad little stubs. The plate that showcased frosted cookie delights now holds scattered crumbs. Leftovers crowd the fridge. Trash bags hold wrapping paper waiting for pick up. Carols still echo in our hearts, but quiet mantles the house. It's hard to know what comes next.
If you’ve never heard of the Feast of Stephen on the day after Christmas, you are not alone. It commemorates the Stephen who appears in the book of Acts as one of the first deacons of the early Church. The apostles appointed Stephen and six others to oversee the daily distribution of food, making sure widows weren’t overlooked--an important duty.
Stephen’s ministry begins in this humble way. Only later does he step forward as a bold witness to Christ, speaking with such clarity and conviction that it costs him his life. Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr, stoned outside the city walls while praying for those in the act of taking his life.
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St. Stephen from The Demidoff Altarpiece 1476 painting by Carlo Crivelli; the rocks illustrate his manner of death (Public Domain Image) |
Christmas is such a joyous occasion. Why remember a Christian martyr who was stoned to death the very next day?
Because the Church has always believed that Jesus's birth isn’t just something to celebrate, but a gift that deserves a response. Stephen's example shows us how to answer that kind of love by helping those in need.
From the earliest centuries, Christians linked the Feast of Stephen with charity, and especially feeding the poor. By the Middle Ages in Europe, this concept was emedded into everyday life. Communities marked December 26 as a day for almsgiving. Masters gave their servants gifts or time off, and neighbors remembered those living in scarcity, especially during the coldest weeks of the year.
These traditions echo within American culture today. The beloved carol Good King Wenceslas takes place on the Feast
of Stephen, when the king sees a poor man gathering wood in the snow and
insists on bringing him food. That story didn’t only inspire sympathy—it taught
listeners that the day after Christmas was for noticing and helping the poor.
Donating to a food bank on December 26 continues this ancient Christian rhythm. It lets us participate in the same kind of mercy that defined Stephen’s life and shaped the feast day named in his honor.
Remembering the poor doesn’t have to be extravagant, and it might not be food at all. Maybe it's the cost of a book or simply taking time to make a phone call, write a letter, or say a prayer.
Observing the Feast of Stephen doesn't just bring depth to Christmas—it invites us to truly live it.
About the Author
Learn more about me and the books I write at the Janalyn Voigt website.
Montana Gold
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