There is a challenge and a cost to declaring ourselves to be followers of Jesus

SOME of us would have spent yesterday on our own while many did all we could to make the most of the time with those “three households” that the Government allowed us. No doubt there was music, noise, mayhem and much joy.

Strange then that such a day is followed in the church calendar by a tale of persecution and martyrdom. Most of us call today “Boxing Day” but it is also St Stephen’s Day. Stephen, in the Bible, is the first person, we learn, who was killed because of his belief that Jesus was the Messiah: the one promised to bring the world from darkness to light.

Following the day of Pentecost the church was growing and not everyone was pleased. People were bribed to accuse Stephen of blasphemy and he was taken to a Jewish court to answer the charges.

In his defence, Stephen outlines the key events of Jewish history daring to declare that Jesus is the fulfilment of all the promises that we find in the Old Testament. The court, we are told, was “enraged” and took him beyond the gates of the city where he was stoned to death. His final words were a prayer to Jesus that these people might be forgiven.

A strange tale to add to the Christmas mix. However, it is a reminder that at the heart of the Christmas message is not simply the story of a baby’s birth meant to make us feel sentimental and teary-eyed. If, like Stephen, we take the life and teaching seriously then there is a challenge and a cost to declaring ourselves to be followers of Jesus.

In the Western World we are unlikely to be stoned to death for proclaiming our faith. Nevertheless, we will be misunderstood, scorned and ridiculed. Some will not want to associate with us. Even members of our family might reject us. That is why, when Jesus invites people to follow him, he also asks them to take up a cross. Millions who have done so would declare that faith in this baby is worth it: whatever the cost.