Haiku for December 26: St. Stephen the first Martyr [Heavenly Birthday: 1st Century AD]

*Deacon and Healer- Healing miracles happened- Where He preached Jesus

*Jewish leaders mad- Couldn’t refute God’s wisdom- Flowing from his mouth

*Filled with the Spirit- Stephen proclaimed Christ risen- Face like an angel’s

*Hated like Jesus- Spurned like Christ, forgave like Christ- killed like Christ his Lord

*Before the death blow- He saw Christ at God’s right hand- “Into your hands Lord…”

[St. Stephen, pray for us and for Christians facing martyrdom]