Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Heroes/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Second Day of Christmas (Christmastide), St. Stphen, the First Martyr (Lesser Festival) R
Saint Stephen (Koine Greek: Στέφανος, Stephanos), the protomartyr of Christianity, is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Saint Stephen's name is derived from the Greek Stephanos, meaning "crown", which translated into Aramaic as Kelil. Traditionally, Stephen is invested with a crown of martyrdom for Christianity; he is often depicted in art with three stones and the martyrs' palm. In Eastern Christian iconography, he is shown as a young beardless man with a tonsure, wearing a deacon's vestments, and often holding a miniature church building or a censer. Rembrandt depicted his martyrdom in his work The Stoning of Saint Stephen.
Saint Stephen
The Protomartyr
Saint Stephen in Glory (detail) by Giacomo Cavedone
Deacon and Protomartyr
Born 1st century
Died c. 34
Jerusalem
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Lutheran Church, Anglican Communion
Feast 26 December (Western)
27 December (Eastern)
Attributes stones, dalmatic, censer, miniature church, gospel book, martyr's palm, orarion
Patronage casket makers; deacons; headaches; horses; masons; Serbia [1]
1. Martyrdom
Saint Stephen preaching.
According to The Acts of the Apostles Stephen was tried by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11) and speaking against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14). While on trial, he experienced a theophany in which he saw both God the Father and God the Son:
"Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." (Acts 7:56)
He was stoned to death (c. C.E. 34-35) by an infuriated mob encouraged by Saul of Tarsus. [2] Stephen's final speech was presented as accusing the Jews of persecuting prophets who spoke out against their sins:
"Which one of the Prophets did your fathers not persecute, and they killed the ones who prophesied the coming of the Just One, of whom now, too, you have become betrayers and murderers." (7:52)
2. Hagiography
Saint Stephen's hagiography is included in Jacobus de Voragine's Golden Legend. De Voragine's version of the legend begins with a fictional etymology: Stephen (from Greek stephanos, "crown") comes from the Hebrew word for "norm" or "rule"; since he was the first martyr of the New Testament, he set the norm for suffering in Christ. Or, his name comes from strenue fans, "speaking strongly," because of his manner of speaking and his preaching. Or it comes from strenue stans, "laudably standing and instructing and ruling over old women." Thus, according to de Voragine, "Stephen is a crown because he is first in martyrdom, a norm by his example in suffering and his way of life, a zealous speaker in his praiseworthy teaching of the widows." [3]
The version in the Golden Legend has Stephen appointed as one of seven deacons appointed by the apostles to appease the widows among the Christians of Gentile origin. Jealous of Stephen's success in his ministry, the Jews conspire to bring him down. First, they attempt to defeat him by way of argument, but are unsuccessful since the Holy Spirit arms Stephen with divine wisdom. Next, they bring false witnesses, who accuse him of blaspheming against God, Moses, the Law, and the Tabernacle. Aided by an angel, Stephen refutes every point, a refutation recounted in some detail. Finally, they try torture; still, Stephen attempts to convert them by inciting shame and fear in them, and by showing their love for him—he prays for his opponents as he is being stoned. [3]
3. St. Stephen's Day
Main article: St. Stephen's Day
In Western Christianity, 26 December is called "St. Stephen's Day", the "feast of Stephen" mentioned in the English Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas". It is a public holiday in many nations that were historically Catholic, Anglican or Lutheran: Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, the United Kingdom (where it is also called "Boxing Day"), the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Germany, Finland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In Catalonia (though not elsewhere in Spain), it is called Sant Esteve and is a bank holiday. In France, the day of Saint Étienne is a bank holiday in the Alsace-Moselle region, but not elsewhere. December 26 is also a holiday in Ligao City Albay and in Tuguegarao City, Philippines, which celebrates a fiesta in honour of St. Stephen Protomartyr, its patron saint.
The General Roman Calendar included also on August 3 a feast of the Invention of the Relics of St Stephen — "Invention," (Latin: inventio), meaning "finding" or "discovery" — to commemorate the finding of St Stephen's relics during the reign of Emperor Flavius Augustus Honorius. In the Tridentine Calendar, this feast was celebrated as a "Semidouble", a rank that it lost in 1955, when Pope Pius XII reduced it to the rank of "Simple". It was one of the second feasts of a single saint removed from the calendar by Pope John XXIII in 1960, and, while it is celebrated by those traditionalist Catholics who observe earlier versions of the Roman calendar, it is not celebrated by those who, in accordance with Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum, observe the 1962 calendar.
Byzantine icon, XI c.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite, Saint Stephen's feast day is celebrated on December 27. This day is also called the "Third Day of the Nativity".
The Republika Srpska claims Saint Stephen as its patron saint. The Republika was proclaimed on January 9 (December 26, Saint Stephen's Day, in the Julian calendar), and that date is a national holiday as "Republic Day".
In India, the Feast of Saint Stephen is celebrated in Goa, where Santo Estevam Island is named after him. The Santo Estevam Church on the island of Jua was built in 1759.[citation needed]
The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the discovery (opening) of the Saint's relics on September 15 and the translation of the Relics of Protomartyr Stephen on August 2. The September 15 feast day celebrates the discovery of Stephen's relics in 415, after which they were solemnly transferred to a church built in his honour in Jerusalem. Later, during the reign of Theodosius the Younger, the relics were transported to Constantinople, the event commemorated on August 2. January 4 marks the commemoration of the "Synaxis of the 70 Apostles". Since Stephen was included in these 70 Apostles mentioned in the "Acts of the Apostles", he is also remembered on January 4.
4. Tomb
Many churches are named in honour of Saint Stephen, but there was no official "Tomb of St Stephen" until 415. When Christian pilgrims were traveling in large numbers to Jerusalem, a priest named Lucian said he had learned by a vision that the tomb was in Caphar Gamala, some distance to the north of Jerusalem.
Gregory of Tours reported that the intercession of Stephen preserved an oratory dedicated to him at Metz, in present-day France. His relics were preserved when the oratory was left standing, after Huns burned the remainder of the city on Easter Eve, 451. [4]
5. Commemorative places
See also: St. Stephen's Cathedral, St. Stephen's Church
St. Stephen Church in Batroun, Lebanon
•Vienna, Austria - Stephansdom, the Cathedral of St. Stephen, founded 1147 and seat of Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna. Symbol of the city of Vienna and of Austria, has the tallest spire in Austria and is the country's most famous church
•Rome - San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, where his remains are interred with those of the eponymous saint under the altar
•Old city of Jerusalem - the "Lions' Gate" is also called St. Stephanus Gate, after the tradition that Stephen's stoning occurred here, though it probably occurred at Damascus Gate
•London - St Stephen's Chapel in the Palace of Westminster was originally built in the reign of Henry III of England; it became the first site of the debating chamber of the British House of Commons
•Dublin - St. Stephen's Green
•Manila, Philippines - St. Stephen's Parish and St. Stephen's High School
•San Salvador, El Salvador, San Esteban, San Salvador
•Brisbane, Queensland, Australia - The Cathedral of St. Stephen, Brisbane
•St Stephen's House, Oxford - Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford and Anglican Theological College
•St Stephen's Church, Bristol - the first city church built outside the walls around c.1250, rebuilt c1430-1490.
6. References
1.[1]
2.gnpcb.org
3.^ Voragine, Jacobus de (1993). "Saint Stephen". In William Granger Ryan. The Golden Legend: Readings on Saints. Vol. 1. Princeton UP. pp. 45-50. ISBN 9780691001531.
4.Paul Halsall, ed., "Gregory of Tours (539-594)", History of the Franks: Books I-X, Internet Medieval Sourcebook, Fordham University, accessed 4 Aug 2009
Scriptural Readings:
December 26th, 2010
Sunday after Christmas
Read today's Higher Things Daily Reflection
December 26, 2010 - The Sunday after Christmas
Today's Reading: Luke 2:22-40
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:22-26; 50:4-51:8,12-16; Matthew 1:18-25
"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” (Luke 2:29-30)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Merry Christmas! Simeon, an old man in the temple, received quite a Christmas gift! He was told by the Holy Spirit that he wouldn't die until he had seen the promised Savior. But not just see Him! He got to hold Baby Jesus in his arms. And then he sang: “Now you let your servant depart in peace!” Simeon could now die, because he had seen the fulfillment of God's promises in this little one who would grow up to suffer and die for the sins of the world (a suffering Simeon also hints at that to Mary!).
Christmas is the “Christ Mass,” that is, the Divine Service of Word and Sacrament in celebration of the Son of God becoming man and being born of Mary. In the “Christ Mass,” as in every “Mass,” that is, every Divine Service, Christ comes to us to forgive and strengthen us. What does your pastor say when you are about to leave from the Communion rail? “Depart in peace.” That's NOT a nice way of saying, “You can go back to your pew now.” It's saying, “You can die safely now. In peace. No matter what happens to you in the coming week, you have Jesus' body and blood in you to raise you up on the Last Day.”
We even sing Simeon's song after the Sacrament: “Lord, let your servant depart in peace according to your will.” That's because of what we have received at the Lord's altar. Jesus Himself, not to hold in our arms as Simeon did, but to live in us by the eating and drinking of His Body and Blood. Eating and drinking THAT body and blood means living and dying in peace.
Peace, because that body was pierced for your sins to take them away. Peace, because His Body and Blood defeated death on the day Jesus rose again. Peace, because that Savior pleads for you before the Father, having sprinkled His blood upon you in the water of Holy Baptism so that now you are safe from the wrath of God against sin. Now there is nothing, not even death itself, that can tear you away from your Savior. Depart in peace. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
O heavenly Father, as You gladden our hearts again to celebrate the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, mercifully bestow on us the joy to receive Him as our Redeemer and so welcome Him when He comes again to be our judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for the Sunday after Christmas)
Questions or comments regarding the Reflections may be sent to the Rev. Mark Buetow, Reflectons Editor, reflections@higherthings.org.
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Collect
O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Introit
Antiphon:
Your testimonies are
very sure;*
holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, for-
ever.
Your throne is established
from of old;*
You are from ever-
lasting. (Psalm 93:5,2)
Psalm:
The LORD reigns, He is clothed with
majesty;*
The LORD is
clothed with strength.
Surely the world is es-
tablished,*
so that it can-
not be moved.
The floods have lifted
up their voice;*
the floods lift
up their waves.
The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many
waters,*
than the mighty waves
of the sea. (Psalm 93:1, 3-4)
Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-5
The Righteous Reign of the Branch
1There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of(A) Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2And(B) the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.(C) He shall not judge by(D) what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4but(E) with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;and he shall(F) strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and(G) with the breath of his lips(H) he shall kill the wicked. 5Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and(I) faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Cross references:Isaiah 11:1 : Isaiah 11:10; Acts 13:23 Isaiah 11:2 : Isaiah 61:1; Matt 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22 Isaiah 11:3 : John 7:24 Isaiah 11:3 : Eccles 1:8 Isaiah 11:4 : Psalm 72:2, 4 Isaiah 11:4 : Psalm 2:9; Mal 4:6 Isaiah 11:4 : Job 4:9; 2 Thess 2:8 Isaiah 11:4 : Psalm 139:19 Isaiah 11:5 : Eph 6:14
Gradual:
You are fairer than the
sons of men;*
Grace is poured up-
on Your lips.
I recite my composition concern-
ing the King;*
my tongue is the pen of a ready
writer. (Psalm 45:1–2)
Epistle: Gal. 4:1-7
Sons and Heirs
1I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,[a] though he is the owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3In the same way we also, when we were children,(A) were enslaved to the elementary principles[b] of the world. 4But(B) when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son,(C) born(D) of woman, born(E) under the law, 5(F) to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive(G) adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent(H) the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then(I) an heir through God.
Footnotes:Galatians 4:1 Greek bondservant; also verse 7 Galatians 4:3 Or elemental spirits; also verse 9
Cross references:Galatians 4:3 : Galatians 2:4 Galatians 4:4 : 1 Tim 2:6; Mark 1:15 Galatians 4:4 : Phil 2:7; John 1:14 Galatians 4:4 : 1 Tim 2:15; Gen 3:15 Galatians 4:4 : Luke 2:21, 22, 27 Galatians 4:5 : Galatians 3:13 Galatians 4:5 : Galatians 3:26; Rom 8:15 Galatians 4:6 : Rom 5:5; 2 Cor 3:17; Acts 16:7 Galatians 4:7 : Galatians 3:29
Verse
Alle-
luia.*
Alle-
luia.
The LORD reigns, He is clothed with
majesty;*
the LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Alle-
luia. (Psalm 93:1)
Gospel: Luke 2:33-40
33And(A) his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed(B) for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign(C) that is opposed 35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
36And there was(D) a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[a] She did not depart from the temple,(E) worshiping with(F) fasting and prayer night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were(G) waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39And when they had performed everything according to(H) the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of(I) Nazareth. 40(J) And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Footnotes:Luke 2:37 Or as a widow for eighty-four years
Cross references:Luke 2:33 : Luke 2:27 Luke 2:34 : Isa 8:14; Matt 21:44; John 9:39; 1 Cor 1:23, 24; 2 Cor 2:16; 1 Pet 2:8, 9 Luke 2:34 : Acts 28:22 Luke 2:36 : Exodus 15:20 Luke 2:37 : 1 Tim 5:5 Luke 2:37 : Luke 5:33; Matt 6:16-18; Acts 13:2; 14:23; 2 Cor 6:5; 11:27 Luke 2:38 : Luke 2:25; Luke 1:68 Luke 2:39 : Luke 2:23 Luke 2:39 : Luke 2:4 Luke 2:40 : Luke 1:80
Daily Lectionary
First Reading: Is. 49:22-26; Is. 50:4-51:8; Is. 51:12-16
22Thus says the Lord GOD:"Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations,
(A) and raise my signal to the peoples;(B) and they shall bring your sons in their bosom,
and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. 23(C) Kings shall be your foster fathers,
and their queens your nursing mothers.(D) With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you,
and(E) lick the dust of your feet.Then you will know that I am the LORD;
(F) those who wait for me(G) shall not be put to shame."
24Can the prey be taken from the mighty,
or the captives of a tyrant[a] be rescued? 25For thus says the LORD:(H) "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken,
and the prey of the tyrant be rescued,for I will contend with those who contend with you,
and I will save your children. 26(I) I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh,
and they shall be drunk(J) with their own blood as with wine.Then all flesh shall know
that(K) I am the LORD your Savior,
and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
Footnotes:Isaiah 49:24 Dead Sea Scroll, Syriac, Vulgate (see also verse 25); Masoretic Text of a righteous man
Cross references:Isaiah 49:22 : Isaiah 11:12 Isaiah 49:22 : Isaiah 14:2 Isaiah 49:23 : Isaiah 60:3, 16 Isaiah 49:23 : Isaiah 60:14 Isaiah 49:23 : Psalm 72:9; Mic 7:17 Isaiah 49:23 : Isaiah 40:31 Isaiah 49:23 : Psalm 25:3; Joel 2:27 Isaiah 49:25 : Matt 12:29; Luke 11:21, 22 Isaiah 49:26 : Isaiah 9:20; Zech 11:9 Isaiah 49:26 : Rev 14:20; 16:6 Isaiah 49:26 : Isaiah 43:3; Exodus 20:2
4The Lord GOD has given(A) me
the tongue of those who are taught,that(B) I may know how to sustain with a word
(C) him who is weary.Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear
to hear as those who are taught. 5(D) The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
(E) and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward. 6(F) I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting.
7But the Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;(G) therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
8(H) He who vindicates me is near.Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me. 9(I) Behold, the Lord GOD helps me;
who will declare me guilty?Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
10Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys(J) the voice of his servant?(K) Let him who walks in darkness
and has no lighttrust in the name of the LORD
and rely on his God. 11Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who equip yourselves with burning torches!Walk by the light of your fire,
and by the torches that you have kindled!(L) This you have from my hand:
you shall lie down in torment.
The LORD’s Comfort for Zion
1(M) "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
you who seek the LORD:look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah who bore you;for(N) he was but one when I called him,
that I might bless him and multiply him. 3For the LORD(O) comforts Zion;
he comforts all her waste placesand makes her wilderness like(P) Eden,
her desert like(Q) the garden of the LORD;(R) joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.
4(S) "Give attention to me, my people,
and give ear to me, my nation;(T) for a law[a] will go out from me,
and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. 5(U) My righteousness draws near,
my salvation has gone out,
and my arms will judge the peoples;(V) the coastlands hope for me,
and for my arm they wait. 6(W) Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;(X) for the heavens vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;[b](Y) but my salvation will be forever,
and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
7(Z) "Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people(AA) in whose heart is my law;(AB) fear not the reproach of man,
nor be dismayed at their revilings. 8(AC) For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool;(AD) but my righteousness will be forever,
and my salvation to all generations."
Footnotes:Isaiah 51:4 Or for teaching; also verse 7 Isaiah 51:6 Or will die like gnats
Cross references:Isaiah 50:4 : Exodus 4:11 Isaiah 50:4 : Isaiah 40:1, 2 Isaiah 50:4 : Matt 11:28 Isaiah 50:5 : Psalm 40:6 Isaiah 50:5 : John 14:31; Phil 2:8; Heb 5:8; 10:7 Isaiah 50:6 : Isaiah 53:5; Matt 26:67; 27:26; Mark 15:19; Luke 22:63 Isaiah 50:7 : Ezek 3:8, 9 Isaiah 50:8 : Rom 8:33, 34 Isaiah 50:9 : Isaiah 41:10 Isaiah 50:10 : Isaiah 50:4; Isaiah 49:2, 3 Isaiah 50:10 : Isaiah 42:16; Mic 7:8 Isaiah 50:11 : John 9:39 Isaiah 51:1 : Isaiah 51:7 Isaiah 51:2 : Ezek 33:24 Isaiah 51:3 : Isaiah 40:1; 52:9 Isaiah 51:3 : Gen 2:8; Ezek 28:13; 31:9; Joel 2:3 Isaiah 51:3 : Gen 13:10 Isaiah 51:3 : Isaiah 35:10 Isaiah 51:4 : Psalm 78:1 Isaiah 51:4 : Isaiah 2:3 Isaiah 51:5 : Isaiah 46:13 Isaiah 51:5 : Isaiah 11:11 Isaiah 51:6 : Isaiah 40:26 Isaiah 51:6 : Psalm 102:26; Matt 24:25; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 21:1 Isaiah 51:6 : Psalm 102:27, 28 Isaiah 51:7 : Isaiah 51:1 Isaiah 51:7 : Psalm 37:31 Isaiah 51:7 : Isaiah 41:14; Matt 10:28 Isaiah 51:8 : Isaiah 50:9 Isaiah 51:8 : Isaiah 51:6
12"I, I am he(A) who comforts you;
who are you that you are afraid of(B) man who dies,
of the son of man who is made(C) like grass, 13and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker,
(D) who stretched out the heavens
and(E) laid the foundations of the earth,and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of(F) the oppressor,when he sets himself to destroy?
And where is the wrath of the oppressor? 14(G) He who is bowed down shall speedily be released;
he shall not die and go down(H) to the pit,
neither shall his bread be lacking. 15I am the LORD your God,
(I) who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the LORD of hosts is his name. 16(J) And I have put my words in your mouth
(K) and covered you in the shadow of my hand,(L) establishing[a] the heavens
and(M) laying the foundations of the earth,
and saying to Zion, 'You are my people.'"
Footnotes:Isaiah 51:16 Or planting
Cross references:Isaiah 51:12 : Isaiah 40:1; 66:13 Isaiah 51:12 : Psalm 118:6 Isaiah 51:12 : Isaiah 40:6 Isaiah 51:13 : Isaiah 40:22 Isaiah 51:13 : Isaiah 48:13 Isaiah 51:13 : Isaiah 14:4 Isaiah 51:14 : Isaiah 45:13 Isaiah 51:14 : Zech 9:11 Isaiah 51:15 : Jer 31:35 Isaiah 51:16 : Isaiah 59:21; Isaiah 50:4 Isaiah 51:16 : Isaiah 49:2 Isaiah 51:16 : Isaiah 40:22 Isaiah 51:16 : Isaiah 48:13
Second Reading: Matt. 1:18-25
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18Now the birth of(A) Jesus Christ[a] took place in this way.(B) When his mother Mary had been betrothed[b] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child(C) from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling(D) to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But as he considered these things, behold,(E) an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and(F) you shall call his name Jesus,(G) for he will save his people from their sins." 22(H) All this took place(I) to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23(J) "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name(K) Immanuel"
(which means, God(L) with us). 24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And(M) he called his name Jesus.
Footnotes:Matthew 1:18 Some manuscripts of the Christ Matthew 1:18 That is, legally pledged to be married
Cross references:Matthew 1:18 : Matthew 1:1; Mark 1:1; John 1:17; 17:3; Matthew 1:16 Matthew 1:18 : Luke 1:27 Matthew 1:18 : Luke 1:35 Matthew 1:19 : Deut 24:1 Matthew 1:20 : Matthew 2:13, 19; Matthew 2:12, 22 Matthew 1:21 : Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:31; 2:21 Matthew 1:21 : Luke 2:11; Acts 4:12; 5:31; 13:23, 38; Acts 3:26 Matthew 1:22 : Matthew 21:4; 26:56; John 19:36 Matthew 1:22 : Matthew 2:15, 23; 4:14; Mark 14:49 Matthew 1:23 : Isa 7:14 Matthew 1:23 : Isa 8:8, 10 Matthew 1:23 : Matthew 28:20 Matthew 1:25 : Matthew 1:21
Sunday Father Reading
"Let us receive the Body and Blood of Christ with full certainty. For under the appearance of bread is given there the Body, and under the appearance of wine is given there the Blood, in order that you may be made of one body and one blood with Him. For so shall we be 'Christophers,' that is, whose who bear Christ, since we shall have received into our bodies His Body and Blood, and thus shall we made, as blessed Peter says, 'partakers of the divine nature.'" [St. Cyril of Jerusalem. "Catechism 4." 4th Century]
All Scripture Readings: English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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