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It is the day after Christmas, known to folks across the Commonwealth as Boxing Day. The name for the day originated, probably, in the practice of giving Christmas boxes to postal workers, public servants, and other employees. It was intended as a day of rest for workers. In more contemporary times it has been coopted to urge weary shoppers back into the marketplace to spend more and to ensure that the rhythm of constant selling is not disrupted. 

To those who follow the Church Calendar, though, today is the Feast of St. Stephen one of the first deacons and the first martyr of the Christian faith community. Stephen is known for his work in attending to the food distribution of widows, and particularly for his work in representing the concerns of widows from a linguistic and cultural minority within the Jerusalem of his time. He is also known as a brilliant and outspoken preacher who was unafraid to speak the truth, even when it wasn't popular to do so. You can read his story in the sixth and seventh chapters of the Acts of the Apostles in the Holy Bible. In his death Stephen reflected the teaching of his Lord Jesus, asking for God's forgiveness upon his murderers. 

St. Stephen's Day is also remembered in the Carol, published by John Mason Neale in 1835 "Good King Wenceslaus." "Good King Wenceslaus looked out, on the feast of Stephen." This song tells the story of the Duke Wenceslaus I of Bohemia. Wenceslaus, much like Stephen, was to become the victim of a political conspiracy, but the song draws our attention to his care for the poor and so emphasizes the central theme of St. Stephen's Day and calls the caroller to find blessing in reaching out to help others.  

So Good Christans all be sure, wealth or rank possessing. You who now shall bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing." 

In the midst of a world full of busyness, shopping, and commerce we do well to remember the examples of Wenceslaus and of St. Stephen.