Stephen’s witness of martyrdom is incredibly inspiring. As we wrap up our week, we reflect on him offering his life to Christ and truly witnessing to the glory of God until the very end.

In his debate with the Jews, Stephen calls out the religious leaders saying they are stiff necked and resist the Holy Spirit. Today we discuss how we discern how bold and direct we should be as we preach the Gospel. As we call on the Holy Spirit, we receive help to say and do what we are supposed to.

Stephen is able to be bold, calm, and unafraid because he is filled with the Holy Spirit. We ask the Holy Spirit to fill us in a deeper way and show us where we are called to preach the Gospel.

As Stephen preaches the gospel, the Jews rise up against him and stir up opposition against him. We reflect on what our response is when we are opposed for the Gospel and we ask God for the grace to be unafraid and anchored in Him.

This week we discuss the first reading from Acts that the Church gives us the day after Christmas. We focus in on the importance of the Church presenting us with the martyrdom of St. Stephen right after Christmas day.

Christ is the true light of the world. He shines in the darkness, bringing us each new life for all of eternity. Jesus calls us to receive his light and then go out and reflect his light into a dark and broken world.

Christmas day has arrived and we reflect on the reality that Jesus comes to us today. And as He comes, in himself He brings true and eternal life. We ask the Holy Spirit to help us receive this life in a new way.

As we enter into Christmas eve, we continue our discussion of John 1. We read how everything was made through the Word and see how’s God’s love creates. It overflows and desires to give of itself, resulting in the creation of the world and of us.

We continue through John 1 today as we reflect on the reality that Jesus has existed with the Father from all of eternity. Because of this, we have existed in God’s mind, totally and completely loved.

We begin this week of Christmas with my guest, Katey Norman. We discuss our advent preparations and John 1. As we walk through this week, we ask the Holy Spirit to build in us anticipation for Jesus’ coming as the Word made flesh.