You made it through Christmas. Well done! Hopefully your goals were higher than simply “making it through,” but kudos nonetheless. But before you get all smug, there are two more holidays today!
Boxing Day
With murky origins in the giving of food boxes to British workers, this sweet little holiday is often lost between the behemoths of Christmas and New Year’s. Since living in England for a Christmas, I’ve enjoyed the traditional long walk on Boxing Day.
But right now I’m thinking of boxing in another of its definitions: Punching the stuffing out of your opponent. There are people whose ministry to Muslims consists of pugilistic apologetics. People like Al Fadi, Beth Peltola and David Wood devote their time and energy to debating Muslims by pointing out Islam’s flaws and highlighting the truth of the Gospel.
Most of us lack the knowledge, and possibly zeal, to relate this way. It’s also not the best approach for many Muslims, but there are things we can learn from our sisters and brothers who engage in polemics.
St. Stephen’s Day
The second holiday today is related to the first. December 26th is also St. Stephen’s Day, in which the wise and powerful deacon is commemorated for his life and martyrdom. Your stream of church might not celebrate saint days. Mine doesn’t. But if we can learn from Al Fadi, Beth and David, we can certainly learn from Stephen, his life, his outreach and his last words which make up almost all 60 verses in Acts 7!
Here’s how these two holidays are connected: Those who engage in feisty, pugilistically inclined debate sometimes find themselves on the painful side of a rock toss. (And every opposition short of that.)
May God use all manner of engagement to help Muslims find life in Jesus. And may God protect and empower those who lay it all on the line today for the sake of truth.