he is filled with the Holy Spirit and has a vision of Christ. His death is witnessed by Saul. Stephen dies with the words 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them' on his lips.

His mother said, 'Child, why have you treated us like this? Listen! Your father and I have been worried. We've been looking for you!'

49 Jesus replied, 'Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father's house?' 50 But they didn't understand what he said to them.

'You stubborn people! In your thoughts and hearing, you are like those who have had no part in God's covenant! You continuously set yourself against the Holy Spirit, just like your ancestors did. 52 Was there a single prophet your ancestors didn't harass? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the righteous one, and you've betrayed and murdered him! 53 You received the Law given by angels, but you haven't kept it.'

51 Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother cherished every word in her heart. 52 Jesus matured in wisdom and years, and in favor with God and with people.

### RESPONSE TO THE READING

54 Once the council members heard these words, they were enraged and began to grind their teeth at Stephen. 55 But Stephen, enabled by the Holy Spirit, stared into heaven and saw God's majesty and Jesus standing at God's right side. 56 He exclaimed, 'Look! I can see heaven on display and the Human One[m] standing at God's right side!' 57 At this, they shrieked and covered their ears. Together, they charged at him, 58 threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses placed their coats in the care of a young man named Saul. 59 As they battered him with stones, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, accept my life!' 60 Falling to his knees, he shouted, 'Lord, don't hold this sin against them!' Then he died.

### For the word of God in Jesus, For God's wisdom all around us, For God's word and wisdom in us. Thanks be to God.

### MARY'S MONOLOGUE

### REFLECTION: THE BOXING DAY ANTI CLIMAX!

### CAROL: CAROL OF THE CRIB

#### sung by St Martin's Voices

Light to the world, a child is born; dark is the night before the dawn: day is upon us, darkness is dying, with Mary's child in slumber lying.

### Luke 2:41-end

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to their custom. 43 After the festival was over, they were returning home, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't know it. 44 Supposing that he was among their band of travelers, they journeyed on for a full day while looking for him among their family and friends. 45 When they didn't find Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked.

Christ has come, our life to share; sorrows and sins and griefs to bear: see where above us the heavens are clear, the angels are singing for Christ is here!

Light for a world gone far astray, dawn of the hope of God's new day; songs for our sighing, joy for our weeping, with Mary's child so softly sleeping.

Christ has come, our life to share; sorrows and sins and griefs to bear: see where above us the heavens are clear, the angels are singing for Christ is here!

Light of the world, God's only Son! now is the day of grace begun: