It brings out the best - and the worst!

I always thought it's odd that out of 4 of the days following Christmas day, 3 are devoted to people who have died for the Christian faith or, in a sense, because of it. And on the remaining day we remember a saint who was exiled because of the faith which you could say is a death of sorts.

St. Stephen

26th December is the feast dedicated to St. Stephen, the first martyr. It's been celebrated since at least the 5th century on the day after Christmas day.

The Holy Innocents

28th December is the commemoration of the Holy Innocents; those children that Herod had murdered as, in his rage, he hunted down the infant Jesus.

Thomas Becket

29th December is the commemoration of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, murdered in his own cathedral on this day in 1170.

St. John, Apostle & Evangelist

On 27th December we remember St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, who was exiled on the island of Patmos, where he received and recorded his 'Revelation' which appears as the last book in the Bible.

As we think about these people and the birth of the Lord on Christmas day, it seems that the gospel brings out either the best or the worst in people. And it results in bringing out the worst in what should be the best of people. Today we've seen on the news, monks again brawling over 'territory' in a sacred place, the actual place where Jesus Christ is reputed to have been born. Not good enough brothers! The job's hard enough without such a poor display. Being credible as a Christian is difficult enough in the world today. But such behaviour is a very sad betrayal of those who we've  been thinking about and thanking God for in our worship this week. If you want to see the news item it's here It might make you want to laugh. It's not funny, it's pathetic.