26 December

Born in 1883 – Maurice Utrillo, French painter.

Above: Chapelle de Buis, 1921

Also, it’s the feast day of the martyr St. Stephen.

From Acts 7 in the Geneva Bible, after Stephen had rebuked religious authorities, the “quenchers of the spirit”:

But when they heard these things, their hearts brast for anger, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

But he being full of the holy Ghost, looked steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,

And said, Behold, I see the heavens open, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.

Then they gave a shout with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him violently all at once,

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, named Saul.

And they stoned Stephen, who called on God, and said, Lord Jesus receive my spirit.

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had thus spoken, he slept.