Welcome to our daily rosary meditation.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

I am so grateful for all of your generosity

and the amazing way that God through you

has brought one million,

which was matched by a second million, so that we can spread the mission

of our lady this year to spread the rosary, to help people gather around her in prayer,

that more people will learn their faith, that more people will be equipped

to help their family and friends to encounter the love of God.

None of this could have happened without her good servants, and she is well pleased with you. So thank you. I really hope

you have a joyful Christmas and together we have a really big mission this year.

So let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen. And let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for. Today, December 26th, we celebrate

the martyrdom of St. Stephen, a striking contrast to the peaceful message of Christmas Day.

Acts chapter 6 tells us, Stephen was filled with grace and power, and began to work miracles and great signs among the people.

But then certain Jews argued with Stephen, but they couldn't get the better of him because

of his wisdom and because it was the spirit of God that prompted what he said.

They were infuriated when they heard this and they ground their teeth at him.

But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God,

and Jesus standing at God's right hand.

And he said, I can see heaven thrown open.

And this son of man standing at the right hand of the power of God.

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