Tune: Tempus Adeste Floridium
[The time has come for flowers]
(Hymn tune of \'Good King Wenceslas\')
Acts 7 v.54-60 - For St Stephen\'s Day: Dec 26
***********
Stephen, he a martyr bold
Let the story be told
The crowd raged at him, but he
Looked to heaven, did see
Being full of the Spirit
His spiritual sight lit
Saw glory of God, did view
Jesus at God\'s right hand too
He said, Behold, I do see
Heavens opened, there be
The Son of man next to God
He who this earth has trod
Then crowd cried out with one voice
To assault him, their choice
They cast him out of city
Jerusalem it be
The stoned him, and witnesses
Laid down their coats, true this
At a young man\'s feet named Saul
Later was named as Paul
And they stoned Stephen, and he
Prayed to God fervently
Saying, Lord Jesus, receive
My spirit, I do believe
Then he kneeled down and with loud
Voice, thus so heard the crowd
Said, Lord, lay not this sin to
Their charge, but forgive, do
When he said this he did die
Though for him by and by
Was as peaceful sleep, release
Woke to glories that ne\'er cease